An unofficial prequel to Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro, Rossini’s beloved comic opera Il barbiere di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville) follows Figaro’s escapades as he plays matchmaker and troublemaker, with disguises and deception.
With humour, romance and unforgettable music, we present a new production of this comedic masterpiece. Conducted by the resident conductor of Irish National Opera Elaine Kelly and directed by Louise Bakker, this production promises to delight audiences of all ages.
“Irish conductor Elaine Kelly is a discovery, tracing the musical lines with exactitude.”
Los Angeles Times, 2023
Coming by train?
Hop aboard the Hedgehog!
In partnership with brilliant local bus service the Hedgehog, we’re now offering a shuttle service from Moreton-in-Marsh station to our theatre.
The service will depart from Moreton-in-Marsh 90 minutes before the performance start time, to arrive at Longborough shortly after the grounds open. It will return to Moreton following the performance end time.
It’s dawn in a market square in Seville. The local wheeler dealer Figaro is sleeping off a hangover, but it’s not long before the tradesmen arrive to set up their stalls. Figaro regularly comes up against his nemesis the Market Warden, and today is no different.
Count Almaviva has arrived in Seville in pursuit of Rosina, a beautiful woman he locked eyes with on the Prado. He has traced her to one of the local apartments and waits for her daily beneath her balcony where they share yearning glances but have yet to actually meet. This morning he has asked his servant to help him serenade her with the help of some willing locals. Unsuccessful, the Count is forced to go into hiding as an indefatigable Figaro returns, shamelessly boasting of how in demand he is to the people of Seville.
The Count recognises Figaro as an old servant of his and explains his plight. The Count is adamant that he conceals his true identity from Rosina so that she falls in love with the man, not the title. From now on, he is the poor student Lindoro. Only Figaro will know his true identity. On cue, Rosina appears, doggedly accompanied by her guardian Bartolo (who has plans to marry Rosina himself). She surreptitiously drops a note to “Lindoro” encouraging his advances, but Bartolo quickly forces her back inside where he can keep her to himself.
Exasperated, the Count begs Figaro’s help to meet Rosina, and Figaro – perpetually short on cash – is only too happy to oblige. Together they devise a plan to gain access to the apartment.
Meanwhile, although Rosina is kept under lock and key, she has fallen head over heels for the mysterious Lindoro. Figaro stops by, and just as he is about to tell Rosina all about the object of her affection, Bartolo is heard. Figaro goes into hiding, and Rosina stomps off to her room.
Rosina’s music teacher Basilio arrives to report that the Count is allegedly in Seville, invoking Bartolo’s immediate panic and determination to marry Rosina as soon as possible. Figaro overhears this, and as they leave, he is finally given the opportunity to tell Rosina that Lindoro loves her and is desperate to meet her. Ecstatic, she gives Figaro a love letter to deliver to her new beau. Bartolo returns, and once again, Rosina retreats to her room.
A knock at the door announces the Count disguised as a drunken soldier claiming that he has been billeted to stay at Bartolo’s home. Bartolo quickly supplies an exemption certificate and tries to evict the Count, but the ensuing hullaballoo involving the whole household is loud enough to be heard from the street. Everyone panics as a police officer and hoard of locals invade the apartment.
The Count privately informs the police officer of his true identity, and is released without consequence, much to Bartolo’s exasperation.
A little while later, Bartolo has managed to get rid of all his unwanted guests, and is trying to work out who could have sent the soldier... However his frustration is interrupted by another knock at the door.
This time, the Count has disguised himself as Alonso, a music teacher who will be taking Rosina’s lesson on behalf of a sick Basilio.
Alonso also claims to be able to help Bartolo win Rosina by persuading her that the Count is two-timing her. Bartolo gladly accepts his assistance and allows the lesson to go ahead.
Figaro arrives to give Bartolo a shave. Simultaneously he manages to steal the key to the apartment so that Rosina and the Count can elope at midnight. The plans seem to be going well until Basilio arrives showing no signs of sickness. The Count bribes him to leave, but Bartolo soon uncovers the Count’s disguise and once again, chaos ensues.
Later still, Bartolo can’t understand how he has been deceived not once, but twice. He sends Basilio to fetch the Notary so that his marriage with Rosina can be drawn up without further delay. He then persuades Rosina that her admirer is cheating on her. Whilst he is referring to the Count, she thinks he means Lindoro and is devastated. Bartolo leaves to try to get the Count arrested. Meanwhile Rosina is left alone, and a raging storm outside perfectly expresses her torment.
At midnight, the Count and Figaro arrive to rescue Rosina. She appears, livid, but the Count reveals his true identity and convinces her of his love for her. Figaro persuades the passing Notary to marry the pair. Too late, Bartolo arrives and discovers that his plans are foiled. The Count admonishes him for his poor treatment of Rosina, but magnanimously releases Bartolo from any obligation to pay a dowry. Delightfully, a positive outcome is achieved for all.
