The Barber of Seville, London Coliseum

Rossini’s The Barber of Seville, a firecracker of an opera which premiered almost 200 years ago in Rome, is one of the greatest masterpieces of comedy within music. Regularly performed over the last two centuries, its blend of recognisable music, well-drawn characters and a riotous plot, have made it one of the most popular operas in the canon.

Often viewed as a ‘prequel’ to Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro, its story contains many of the same characters, cast in a timeless operatic plot concerning an ageing man (Dr Bartolo) who tries to stand between two young lovers (Count Almaviva and Rosina).The ENO’s production – in English – will be a delight. It’s revival of legendary director Jonathan Miller’s production which started its life in 1987. Opera productions don’t live for more than twenty five years unless they’re very, very good. Miller’s ‘Barber’ is one of the definitive versions.

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Terrific young conductor Christopher Allen is likely to unveil new layers of subtlety in the score, and the all-star cast will serve the work consummately. Unlike the work’s Roman premiere, in which the audience, filled with supporters of Rossini’s rivals, jeered and hissed throughout, its performances at the ENO this autumn are sure to be joyous.