Rossini’s classic in the production by one of the most exciting contemporary Russian directors, Kirill Serebrennikov – with Tansel Akzeybek as the enchanting lover, Nicole Chevalier as the clever object of his desire, Philipp Meierhöfer as the not-very-bitter rival, and Dominik Köninger as the frantic factotum.
There are strange goings-on behind Doctor Bartolo’s back! Recently, his ward Rosina – whom he plans to marry for her sizeable inheritance as soon as possible – seems to be secretly making new friends. A stranger is seeking to conquer Rosina’s heart with self-composed songs and all manner of cryptic messages. Even Rosina long remains ignorant of the true identity of this mysterious admirer. But one thing is clear – anything is better than being forever chained to the fusty, grumpy Bartolo. And where there’s a will, there’s a way – no matter how strange.
Ever since the première of Il barbiere di Siviglia on 20 February 1816 in Rome’s Teatro Argentina, Rossini’s crazy barber has been racing to and thro – Figaro here! Figaro there! – with uninterrupted verve across the stages of the world. Hard-hearted scheming here encounters romantic yearning for love. Kirill Serebrennikov, the trail-blazing director of his generation in Russia, stages this classic as a modern game of hide and seek where everyone hides from each other and – above all – from themselves.
CREW
Conductor
Antonello Manacorda
Director, stage- and costume design
Stage design
Alexej Tregubov
Video
Ilya Shagalov
Dramaturgy
Choirs
Lighting
CAST
Il Conte dʼAlmaviva
Rosina
Figaro
Basilio
Tareq Nazmi
Fiorillo
Denis Milo
An Officer
Jason Steigerwalt
Berta
Dancer (Figaro Double)
Paul Gerritse, Michael Fernandez, Etienne Röder
