Returning to the London Coliseum this February is Jonathan Miller’s much-loved production of Rossini’s The Barber of Seville, first staged by English National Opera (ENO) in 1987.
Set in eighteenth century Seville, the humorous opera sees dashing Count Almaviva attempt to win the beautiful Rosina from the clutches of her guardian Dr Bartolo, enlisting the help of his barber Figaro and a series of cunning disguises along the way.
Rossini’s comic masterpiece features memorable melodies and unites the theatrical worlds of Italian commedia dell’arte and Whitehall farce to create a production that ‘keeps getting better and better’ (Daily Express).
This ‘razor sharp’ (Bachtrack) production was originally directed by Jonathan Miller. Returning to lead the revival of this production is Revival Director Peter Relton, who previously did so in 2017 and 2015.
Having conducted this score for San Francisco Opera’s drive-in production in 2021, Roderick Cox makes his ENO and UK opera debut, bringing his ‘unflagging energy’ (Boston Globe) to the London Coliseum, leading the ENO Chorus and Orchestra.
British baritone Charles Rice returns to ENO as the titular Barber, Figaro, following his ‘outstanding’ (The Telegraph) performance in Gloriana during the 2022/23 Season. With a well-established international career, Charles has performed at the Royal Festival Hall, Grange Park Opera, Stadttheater Klagenfurt and Vorarlberger Landestheater. ENO Harewood Artist Patrick Alexander Keefe performs the role of Figaro on February 27 at 13.00.
Making her ENO and role debut as Rosina, is ‘bright’ (The Telegraph) Irish soprano Anna Devin. An alumna of the Jette Parker Young Artist programme, Anna has recently performed with the Royal Opera House, Irish National Opera, Garsington Opera and the International Handel Festival. Performing the role of Rosina on 27 February at 13.00 is Irish soprano Ava Dodd, who returns to ENO following her success as the Second Niece in ENO’s Peter Grimes in the Autumn.
Rosina’s love interest, Count Almaviva, will be performed by Harewood Artist and South African tenor Innocent Masuku who makes a welcome return to the London Coliseum stage after he ‘shone’ (The i) in Gloriana, Carmen, The Dead City and The Yeomen of the Guard during the 2022/23 Season. English South African Tenor Theodore Browne performs the role of Count Almaviva on February 27 at 13.00.
Bringing ‘noble singing and depth of feeling’ (Financial Times) to the antagonist role of Dr Bartolo is British bass-baritone Simon Bailey, who returns to ENO following his success in the company’s award-winning production of Richard Jones’ The Rhinegold during the 2022/23 Season. Bailey is joined by British bass Alastair Miles who returns to the production after bringing his ‘strongly voiced interpretation’ (Bachtrack) to the role of Don Basilio in 2017.
Twenty-five years after singing the role of Rosina in this same production, British soprano and seasoned ENO singer Lesley Garrett returns to the London Coliseum stage bringing her ‘glorious voice’ (Daily Mail) to the role of Berta.
Completing the cast is Harewood Artist and ‘one to watch’ (London Unattached) British baritone Patrick Alexander Keefe who makes his role debut as Fiorello. His second engagement with the company this season, Patrick made his ENO debut in La traviata during the Autumn. Performing the role of Fiorello on February 27 at 13.00 is British baritone Patrick Dow, marking his debut with the company.
Tanya McCallin is the Set and Costume Designer, Tom Mannings is the Original Lighting Designer, Marc Rosette is the Revival Lighting Designer, translation is by Amanda Holden and Anthony Holden.
The Barber of Seville opens on Monday 12 February for 7 performances: Feb 12, 14, 22, 27, 29 at 19.00, Feb 24 at 18.00 and Feb 27 at 13.00. More information can be found here.
