Figaro, Figaro, Figaro - THE BARBER OF SEVILLE Opens Sept. 28 at Lyric Opera

What You Need to Know About Lyric's Production

September 28 - October 27


CHICAGO (8/15/2019)In Rossini’s best-known comic masterpiece, a young woman refuses to marry her pompous old guardian. With the help of the know-it-all town barber, a bold young count hopes to marry her himself. Can this unlikely duo win their heroine’s heart before it’s too late?

  • First show of Lyric’s 65th season: A delightful production of the perennially popular Rossini opera gets the 2019/20 season off to an effervescent start.

  • Opening Night glamour: Dress up in your best gown or tuxedo and join us on the red carpet for this grand Lyric tradition on Saturday, September 28, with the option of purchasing tickets to the Opera Ball at the Hilton Chicago for the ultimate elegant post-performance celebration (lyricopera.org/openingnight or call 312-827-5682 for Opera Ball reservations).

  • For new opera-goers: The overture music that opens the show lets you know right away that you're in for a good time, with lots to laugh at and smile about.

  • Charming rom-com: Secrets, silly ruses, outlandish plot twists, and sparkling melodies, all in the name of love.

  • Ebullient music led by Lyric's music director: Sir Andrew Davis is on the podium to start his 20th season as principal conductor at Lyric. Michael Black is chorus master.

  • Captivating visual delights from a team of Tony Award winners & nominees: Enjoy director Rob Ashford's lovely and airy production, with sets by Scott Pask, costumes by Catherine Zuber, and lighting by Howard Harrison.

  • Playful virtuosic performances: Adam Plachetka is clever Figaro, the wily barber at the center of the plot. Marianne Crebassa is the lovely and spirited Rosina, with Lawrence Brownlee as her multiply disguised sweetheart, Count Almaviva. Alessandro Corbelli plays Rosina’s old guardian Bartolo, and Krzysztof Bączyk (Lyric debut) is her hypocritical music teacher Basilio.

  • Eight chances to check it out: September 28 and October 2, 5, 10, 13, 18, 21, 27 (bold = matinees).

  • Music you know: From the exuberant overture that's become pop culture's go-to operatic shorthand, to the exultant crowing of the title character -- "Figaro! Figaro! Figaro!" -- all this and more by a 24-year-old master of his craft.

  • See the opera that inspired “The Rabbit of Seville,” the brilliant Bugs Bunny-Elmer Fudd caper cartoon.

  • A timeless operatic comedy: Rossini’s music scampers, frolics, clambers, surprises, and cavorts on every page of the score.

  • 3 hours and 5 minutes, including 1 intermission.

  • Sung in Italian with English translations projected above the stage.

  • For more information and to order tickets, visit lyricopera.org/barber or call 312.827.5600.

  • For information about pre-performance dining options at Lyric, visit lyricopera.org/dining to learn about on-site restaurants, beverage service, and more.

About Lyric

About Lyric

Lyric Opera of Chicago is committed to redefining what it means to experience great opera. The company is driven to deliver consistently excellent artistry through innovative, relevant, celebratory programming that engages and energizes new and traditional audiences.

Under the leadership of General Director, President & CEO Anthony Freud, Music Director Sir Andrew Davis, Music Director Designate Enrique Mazzola, and Special Project Advisor Renée Fleming, Lyric is dedicated to reflecting, and drawing strength from, the diversity of Chicago. Lyric offers, through innovation, collaboration, and evolving learning opportunities, ever-more exciting, accessible, and thought-provoking audience and community experiences. We also stand committed to training the artists of the future, through The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center; and to becoming increasingly diverse across our audiences, staff, programming, and artists—magnifying the welcoming pull of our art form, our company, and our city.

Through the timeless power of voice, the splendor of a great orchestra and chorus, theater, dance, design, and truly magnificent stagecraft, Lyric is devoted to immersing audiences in worlds both familiar and unexpected, creating shared experiences that resonate long after the curtain comes down.

Join us @LyricOpera on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. 

Lyric production revival of Rossini’s The Barber of Seville generously made possible by

Abbott Fund

Liz Stiffel

Allan and Elaine Muchin

Photo: Todd Rosenberg