September 28. 2019 - October 27. 2019

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September 28. 2019 - October 27. 2019

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Original Lyric Production The Barber of Seville

Irrepressible Rosina refuses to marry her pompous old guardian. Meanwhile, a bold young count is eager to win Rosina for himself. And who’s going to make sure those two finish the opera united? The cleverest character in all of Seville: the barber Figaro, whose services are sought after by everyone for everything (the guy has a lot more talents than just cutting hair). Rossini’s music—the aural equivalent of champagne—is the last word in humor, inspiring smiles and laughter on every page of the score, which is what makes Barber the most popular of all operatic comedies.

Language: Sung in Italian with projected English translations
Running Time: 3 hours, 5 minutes with 1 intermission
Location: Lyric Opera House

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Wickedly funny, elegantly sung, cleverly directed. ★★★★”

Chicago Tribune

You don’t often hear opera audiences laughing out loud – constantly and with abandon – as they did.”

Chicago Tribune

By the final, rollicking chorus celebrating the triumph of young love, hearts were soaring, both onstage and in the audience.”

Chicago Sun-Times

Lyric’s fine vocalists threw themselves into Rossini’s fiercely steep, fiendishly intricate melodies with brio.”

Chicago Sun-Times

Benefiting from an outstanding cast of international vocalists, the stalwart backing of the Lyric Opera Orchestra under Sir Andrew Davis, and some gags still fresh 203 years after its premiere in Rome, the Lyric’s performance was a winner to kick off the new season.”

Third Coast Review

Crebassa’s mezzo-soprano’s voice never seems to shift gears, blithely sitting pretty in the lower range, then dashing to heights that would make some sopranos weep.”

NewCity

Lyric Opera has married pitch-perfect casting to go-for-broke direction in its season opener, The Barber of Seville.”

Chicago Reader

Beautifully designed and masterfully sung”

Broadway World

The Barber of Seville videos

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Rossini's The Barber of Seville at Lyric Opera of Chicago

Audiences Reacts to Rossini's The Barber of Seville

Hear from excited audience members why you can't miss Lyric's production of Rossini's The Barber of Seville.

Patter Up! 60 seconds with Lawrence Brownlee

Tenor Lawrence Brownlee, who is Count Almaviva in The Barber of Seville, talks first jobs, hamburgers vs hot dogs, and who would play him in a movie.

Mezzo-soprano Marianne Crebassa on the greatness of The Barber of Seville

Mezzo-soprano Marianne Crebassa discusses why you can't miss Rossini's The Barber of Seville.

Sir Andrew Davis on The Barber of Seville

Hear from conductor Sir Andrew Davis on what makes Rossini's The Barber of Seville the perfect opera.

A special invitation from Tenor Lawrence Brownlee!

Hear from Lawrence Brownlee on why you can't miss lyric's production of Rossini's The Barber of Seville.

Rossini's Barber of Seville: BY THE NUMBERS

Music provided by Warner Classics.

Mezzo-soprano Marianne Crebassa on Rosina in The Barber of Seville

Mezzo-soprano Marianne Crebassa discusses how she connects to the role of Rosina and what makes her a fire-cracker in Rossini's The Barber of Seville

Rossini's Barber of Seville at Lyric Opera

The Barber of Seville

By Gioachino Rossini

The music featured is generously furnished by Warner Classics.

"Overture"

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"Largo al factotum"

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"Una voce poco fa"

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"Ecco ridente in cielo"

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The Barber of Seville

By Gioachino Rossini

Lyric Opera Commentaries are sponsored by the Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Foundation in memory of their parents.

© 2019/20 Lyric Opera Commentaries. All rights reserved.
The music featured is generously furnished by Warner Classics.
A project of the Women’s Board.

Commentary by Nicholas Ivor Martin

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The Barber of Seville articles

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4-Star, "Wickedly Funny" Barber Opens

On Saturday, September 28, Wacker Drive was THE place to be for music lovers. The red carpet was unfurled, photographers lined the colonnade, and palpable excitement was in the air as Lyric opened the 65th Season with an original production of The Barber of Seville that thrilled critic and audience members alike.

The Barber of Seville: Tons of Fun!

If you love any of the great Broadway musical comedies, there really is no distance that you have to travel to enjoy Barber. The situations are hilarious, the characters captivating, and above all, the music will have you grinning from ear to ear, from the boisterous overture right through to the effervescent finale.

From 1816 to 2019: Where We See The Barber of Sevile in Pop Culture

Not only is The Barber of Seville a classic comedy, but it also pops up time and time again in modern culture. That's right – just because it premiered in 1816 doesn't mean it won't resonate with audiences today!

Synopsis

Time Late 18th century | Place Seville, Spain

Scene 1. Count Almaviva is in love with Dr. Bartolo’s ward, Rosina, and decides to serenade her at dawn. Once Figaro, resourceful barber of the city of Seville, conveniently appears, the Count enlists his help in arranging a meeting with Rosina, who knows him only as “Lindoro.” Bartolo tells a servant not to admit anyone to the house but Don Basilio. Rosina’s music teacher. Before the day is over, Bartolo hopes to marry Rosina himself. Figaro plans to bring the Count into Bartolo’s house in disguise.

Scene 2. Rosina swears that “Lindoro” will be hers. Bartolo is worried that his young man could actually be Count Almaviva. Don Basilio suggests that spreading a few rumors could cool Rosina’s feelings for her admirer. Figaro reveals to Rosina that Lindoro is head-over-heels in love with her. Rosina produces a note she has written to Lindoro, and Figaro leaves to deliver it. Almaviva barges into Bartolo’s house, impersonating a drunken soldier, and is able to slip a note to Rosina. When the police appear – summoned by Bartolo – the disorderly soldier is arrested. After managing to reveal his identity to the sergeant in command, he’s immediately released, to everyone’s astonishment.
Bartolo suspects that the drunken soldier is an acquaintance of Count Almaviva. The Count reappears, disguised as “Don Alonso,” a music teacher substituting for the supposedly ailing Don Basilio. He produces Rosina’s note to Lindoro, saying he found it at the inn where the Count is staying. He pleases Bartolo by offering to make Rosina believe the Count is deceiving her. Rosina recognizes Don Alonso as Lindoro and uses her music lesson to express her love for him. Figaro appears, ready to shave Bartolo. He takes the old man’s keys to the linen closet, using this opportunity to steal the balcony key. When Don Basilio appears, the Count signals Bartolo about their scheme to deceive Rosina. He makes clear that Basilio must be disposed of immediately. Convinced by everyone that he is terribly ill, Basilio accepts a purse from Almaviva and departs. While Figaro shaves Bartolo, Rosina and “Alonso” plan their elopement, but Bartolo finally realizes that he has again been tricked.

Rosina is miserable when Bartolo shows her own note, convincing her that Lindoro is plotting to give her up to the Count. She offers to marry Bartolo, revealing her previous elopement plans. No sooner has Bartolo gone after the police and the notary than Figaro and the Count appear, having used the stolen key. Rosina reproaches the Count, but is delighted when he reveals his true identity. Bartolo rushes in too late to stop the wedding. He accepts the situation and gives the couple his blessing.

Program book

Go inside this production of The Barber of Seville with engaging articles, notes from the director, a complete plot synopsis, artist bios, and more.

View Digital Program Book

Meet the artists

Adam Plachetka

Figaro

Adam Plachetka's Lyric credits include Figaro/The Barber of Seville (2019|20); Papageno/The Magic Flute (2016|17).

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Marianne Crebassa

Rosina

The French mezzo-soprano has dazzled at Lyric in roles like Rosina/The Barber of Seville and Dorabella/Così fan tutte.

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Lawrence Brownlee

Count Almaviva

Winner of 2017’s “Male Singer of the Year” award from both the International Opera Awards and Bachtrack, the celebrated American tenor has triumphed in many roles at Lyric.

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Alessandro Corbelli

Bartolo

The Turin-born baritone has presented his acclaimed Bartolo in many major houses (recently Glyndebourne and San Francisco Opera).

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Krzysztof Bączyk

Don Basilio

Lyric debut

The Polish bass made his Lyric debut as Don Basilio in The Barber of Seville (2019|20).

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Sir Andrew Davis

Conductor

Sir Andrew Davis served as music director and principal conductor of Lyric Opera of Chicago from 2000 through the 2020/21 Season.

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Stefano Sarzani

Conductor

Stefano Sarzani is on the Music Staff with the Lyric Opera Orchestra.

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Rob Ashford

Original Director

American director-choreographer Rob Ashford's Lyric credits include Carmen (2016|17); Carousel (2014|15); The Barber of Seville (2013|14).

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Tara Faircloth

Revival Director

Lyric Debut

American director Tara Faircloth made her Lyric directorial debut with The Barber of Seville (2019|20).

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Scott Pask

Set Designer

American designer Scott Pask's Lyric credits include The Barber of Seville (2019|20) and (2013|14).

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Catherine Zuber

Costume Designer

British-born designer Catherine Zuber's Lyric credits include The Barber of Seville (2019|20), Romeo and Juliet (2015|16); The Barber of Seville (2013|14).

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Howard Harrison

Lighting Designer

British lighting designer Howard Harrison's Lyric credits include The Barber of Seville (2019|20) and (2013|14).

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Michael Black

Chorus Master

Michael Black has served Lyric Opera of Chicago since the 2013/14 Season.

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