Rossini's famous The Barber of Seville makes a return to the Met stage on Tuesday evening in an abridged English version.
The opera is one of the well know works of the repertoire and has long been hailed as one of the definite comedies in all of opera. The early work from the "Giant of Pesaro" contains a wealth of melodic invention including Figaro's famous aria "Largo al Factotum" which has become a vehicle for all great baritones in history.
Leading the cast in the title role is baritone Rodion Pogossov who sang the role last season. Playing the love-driven Count Almaviva is tenor Alek Shrader who recently sang the Met premiere of Thomas Ades' The Tempest. Playing his beloved Rosina will be mezzo soprano Isabel Leonard who recently sang in Ades' opera as Shrader's lover. Leonard sang the role of Rosina last season and garnered a plethora of positive reviews. She is the highest profile singer in this cast and a rising star in the opera world.
Jon Del Carlo returns as the conniving Doctor Bartolo while Jordan Bisch plays his sidekick Don Basilio. Claudia Waite fills out the cast Berta the maid.
Bartlett Sher's colorful production runs for seven performances from December 18 until January 5. The opera will be broadcast on the radio as part of the Toll Brother's Met Opera broadcasts on Saturday December 22 at 1 PM and will also be featured in an 11:30 AM performance on December 26.
For more information, check out the Metropolitan Opera's official page for The Barber of Seville.
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