THE BARBER OF SEVILLE is Now Playing at Den Norske Opera

Young Rosina lives in the house of old doctor Bartolo, who plans to marry her. But Count Almaviva has also fallen head over heels for the girl and is trying to win her heart.

The town's self-appointed handyman, the barber Figaro, comes to the count's rescue. This sets the stage for bribery, deception and comic entanglements. How does Figaro intend to untie the knots, save the day - and love?

The comic and the tragic hand in hand

The characters all have something unpleasant about them: selfishness, lust and greed. Director Jetske Mijnssen takes that seriously, and shows how comedy is always close to tragedy.

The Barber of Seville is one of three plays by Pierre Beaumarchais, and a precursor to The Marriage of Figaro . There, Count Almaviva got his Rosina, but no happy marriage. In light of this, Rossini's comic opera about Rosina and Count Almaviva's young love takes on a different tone.

The ladies fainted

Gioachino Rossini left behind a total of 39 operas when he died in 1868. The Barber of Seville is his most famous and performed.

In France, Rossini was called "Monsieur Crescendo", because his music is constantly increasing in strength. It is said that several ladies were carried out of the opera houses after they had passed out from the violent force of Rossini's music.

So come to the Opera, and get ready for classic feelgood of the best brand!

• Free introduction one hour before the performance
• Nominated for the Hedda award for best musical theatre

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