Rossini
The Barber of SevilleRevival of the 2007 production
‘a triumph in all its musical and theatrical detail’
★★★★★ - The Herald
Back by popular demand, Sir Thomas Allen (The Marriage of Figaro, The Magic Flute, Don Giovanni) creates a riotous production of Rossini’s beloved comedy. The action centres around Figaro, one of opera’s most delightful characters and perhaps the only voice of reason in a world of young love and ageing folly. When Count Almaviva sets his sights on the beautiful Rosina, he enlists Figaro – barber, fixer, and all-round man of action – to help woo her. It is no easy feat: Rosina’s guardian Doctor Bartolo keeps her under lock and key with the intention of marrying her himself!
The multiplying disguises, comic hijinks, and daring escapes engineered by Figaro are enhanced by Simon Higlett’s enchanting designs, bright with Spanish colours. This revival is sung in English in a translation by Amanda Holden (Falstaff 2021) for a fresh and immediate spin on Rossini’s larger-than-life characters and antics.
With Rossini’s signature toe-tapping ensembles, high-speed patter, and lively coloratura arias, this bel canto masterpiece is a joyful theatrical experience packing in one comic scene after another. Here, Scottish Opera unites Samuel Dale Johnson (Eugene Onegin and Pagliacci 2018) as the titular barber, with Anthony Gregory (Anthropocene 2019) and Simone McIntosh (in her Scottish Opera debut) as the young lovers. Rounding out the other side of the scheming are David Stout (Nixon in China 2020) and John Molloy (A Midsummer Night's Dream 2022).
Kindly supported by The Scottish Opera Syndicate
Part of Scottish Opera's 2023/24 season
What the press said
★★★★★ The Herald
‘a triumph in all its musical and theatrical detail - a superb introduction to opera for the uninitiated, as well as a delight for those whole love the artform’
‘every witty line and bold rhyme is delivered for maximum comic effect, phrased and timed to perfection’
★★★★ Bachtrack
‘sparkle(s) with fun.'
‘...truly delightfully sung opera buffa, brilliantly directed and packed with fun'
VoxCarnyx
‘operatic comedy at its best, literally laugh-a-minute'
★★★★ The Scotsman
'here is a cast fully immersed in the frivolous folly and foibles of their comedic characters... a symbiosis of music and theatre coming straight from the gut.’
‘fun-filled, all-action revival of Rossini’s The Barber of Seville. A refreshed production by Sir Thomas Allen goes all out for belly laughs.’
‘Expect an exhilarating run.’
The National
‘spectacularly good fun, executed with perfect pace and theatrical dexterity.’
Edinburgh Music Review
‘a superb production... comic opera at its very best.’
Cast & Creatives
Figaro
Samuel Dale Johnson
Rosina
Simone McIntosh
Count Almaviva
Anthony Gregory
Doctor Bartolo
David Stout
Don Basilio
John Molloy
Berta
Inna Husieva*
*2023/24 Emerging Artist
Ambrogio
Paul Anwyl
Fiorello
Ross Cumming*
*2023/24 Emerging Artist
Conductor
Stuart Stratford
Director
Sir Thomas Allen
Designer
Simon Higlett
Lighting Designer
Mark Jonathan
Assistant Conductor
Susannah Wapshott
Assistant Director
Mark Burns
Assistant Lighting Designer
Callum Macdonald
Repetiteur
Fiona MacSherry
Stilt Consultant
Mike Rowan
Watch the trailer for The Barber of Seville 2023
Walking Tall: Singing and Juggling on Stilts on Stage
On Stage
The cast of The Barber of Seville. Scottish Opera 2023. Credit James Glossop
Simone McIntosh (Rosina) in The Barber of Seville. Scottish Opera 2023. Credit James Glossop
Anthony Gregory (Count Almaviva) in The Barber of Seville. Scottish Opera 2023. Credit James Glossop
The cast of The Barber of Seville. Scottish Opera 2023
David Stout (Doctor Bartolo) and Samuel Dale Johnson (Figaro) in The Barber of Seville. Scottish Opera 2023. Credit James Glossop
Anthony Gregory (Count Almaviva) and David Stout (Doctor Bartolo) in The Barber of Seville. Scottish Opera 2023. Credit James Glossop
The Cast Of The Barber Of Seville. Scottish Opera 2023. Credit James Glossop
David Stout (Doctor Bartolo) And John Molloy (Don Basilio) In The Barber Of Seville. Credit James Glossop
Simone Mcintosh (Rosina), Samuel Dale Johnson (Figaro) And Anthony Gregory (Count Almaviva) In The Barber Of Seville. Credit James Glossop
David Stout (Doctor Bartolo) And Anthony Gregory (Count Almaviva) In The Barber Of Seville. Scottish Opera 2023. Credit James Glossop
Anthony Gregory (Count Almaviva) And Ross Cumming (Fiorello) In The Barber Of Seville. Credit James Glossop
In Rehearsal
The cast of The Barber of Seville during rehearsals. Credit Julie Howden.
The Barber of Seville director, Sir Thomas Allen, during rehearsals with Samuel Dale Johnson (Figaro). Credit Julie Howden.
Simone McIntosh (Rosina), Anthony Gregory (Count Almaviva), and Samuel Dale Johnson (Figaro) during The Barber of Seville rehearsals. Credit Julie Howden
Scottish Opera Emerging Artist, Inna Husieva (Berta), in rehearsals for The Barber of Seville. Credit Julie Howden.
Scottish Opera Emerging Artist Inna Husieva (Berta) and Simone McIntosh (Rosina) in The Barber of Seville rehearsals. Credit Julie Howden.
Scottish Opera Emerging Artists Ross Cumming (Fiorello), Anthony Gregory (Count Almaviva) and Samuel Dale Johnson (Figaro). Credit Julie Howden.