Opera Australia's THE BARBER OF SEVILLE Returning to Sydney Opera House

Opera Australia's hilarious production of Rossini's The Barber of Seville is returning to the Sydney Opera House this summer. With original direction by the esteemed Elijah Moshinsky, this production will be revived by Hugh Halliday and star the energetic Paolo Bordogna in the role of Figaro.

"The Barber of Seville is the return of the Elijah Moshinsky production. Once again, two wonderful casts and two sets of wonderful singers. I believe Paolo Bordogna is the funniest man working in opera today and for him to be singing alongside Anna Dowsley who is making her debut in the role of Rosina - the results will be electric," says Opera Australia's Artistic Director Lyndon Terracini. "Figaro is all about virtuosic singing and daring and fantastic actors and Bordogna and Giorgio Caoduro - another wonderful Rossini singer - have high notes to burn. To have two outstanding casts is fantastic."

US tenor, Kenneth Tarver, will make his Opera Australia debut in the role of Count Almaviva until 20 February, when fellow US tenor Juan José de León will take over the role.

Australian mezzo-soprano Anna Dowsley, a graduate of Opera Australia's Young Artist Program, will debut in the role of Rosina. Other Australian talent includes Warwick Fyfe (Dr Bartolo), Andrew Moran (Dr Bartolo), Jane Ede (Berta), David Parkin (Don Basilio), and Samuel Dundas (performing Fiorello / Ambrogio / Notary).

Figaro is the friendly neighbourhood barber in Seville, with wits and tricks as sharp as his razors. Set amid a world inspired by 1920s silent films, this fast-paced opera is sure to delight new opera goers and opera lovers alike. This Rossini comedy is playful and energetic, featuring many famous tunes as Figaro sets to work uniting two young lovers in an evening of disguises and duplicity.