Il barbiere di Siviglia at The National Theatre

Rossini’s Il barbiere di Siviglia is one of the most acclaimed comic operas of all time. It is extremely popular owing to catchy melodies, as well as its being based on Beaumarchais’s brilliant play, the first of his comedies featuring the character of Figaro, a witty servant, and his master, Count Almaviva. Yet unlike in Mozart’s no less famous Le nozze di Figaro, with the two men getting embroiled in conflict, in Rossini’s setting they plot together to attain the count’s goal – winning the heart of the fair Rosina.