Seville's Sharp Wit

On Wednesday, 4 November 2026, Glyndebourne in Glynde will host the opening night of The Barber of Seville, a comic opera by Gioachino Rossini, which will run until Saturday, 7 November 2026. The story follows Count Almaviva as he falls in love with the beautiful Rosina and enlists the help of cunning barber Figaro to win her heart. With its glittering bel canto style and bravura ensembles, this opera is a masterpiece of musical comedy.

Rossini, an Italian composer and conductor, was born in Pesaro in 1792 and began composing at the age of twelve. He went on to write around 39 operas, including L'italiana in Algeri, La Cenerentola, and Otello. The Barber of Seville, premiered in Rome in 1816, is considered one of his greatest works, with its quick-witted word-setting and large-scale internal variations.

The production at Glyndebourne features a talented cast, including Chinese mezzo Hongni Wu as the feisty Rosina, Maltese tenor Nico Darmanin as Count Almaviva, and Catalan baritone Lluis Calvet i Pey as the charming Figaro. With its colourful sets, exuberant costumes, and surreal touches, Annabel Arden's production is a contemporary classic. Tickets are with the button beside the article.