Madison Opera Presents The Barber of Seville
Madison Opera opens its season with Rossini’s delightful comedy
Madison, Wis. – Madison Opera begins its 2024-25 season with Gioachino Rossini’s The Barber of Seville, one of opera’s favorite comedies. A rom-com with a sparkling score, Barber will have performances on November 1 at 7:30pm and November 3 at 2:30pm in Overture Hall.
Based on Pierre Beaumarchais’ 1775 play of the same title, The Barber of Seville tells how Figaro, the title character, helps Count Almaviva and Rosina outwit the latter’s guardian. Secret love notes, multiple disguises, and bit of sleight-of-hand are employed to bring about a wedding in the final scene.
Following its premiere in 1816, Barber became an international hit, and it is now one of the most performed comedies in the repertoire, delighting each generation anew. Figaro’s aria “Largo al factotum” has been used in countless pop culture contexts, from Bugs Bunny to Mrs. Doubtfire.
“The Barber of Seville is deservedly beloved,” says Kathryn Smith, Madison Opera’s General Director. “The combination of the love story, comedy, and the way Rossini’s music literally sparkles makes it a wonderful treat for audiences of all ages. Whether one is completely new to Barber or has seen it many times, it has an eternal youth that is a delight, offering a perfect respite from the news cycle.”
The cast features many artists returning to Madison Opera. Benjamin Taylor sings Figaro; he debuted with Madison Opera as Silvio in Pagliacci in 2018, and has recently sung at the Metropolitan Opera and Bayerische Staatsoper, among others. Keely Futterer, who scored a major success as Léontine in The Anonymous Lover last season, sings Rosina. Count Almaviva is sung by David Walton, who sang Belmonte in The Abduction from the Seraglio here. Levi Hernandez (Florencia en el Amazonas) returns as Dr. Bartolo, Rosina’s guardian; Alex Taylor (The Seven Deadly Sins) returns as Don Basilio, a music teacher and purveyor of information. The cast is rounded out by three Madison Opera Studio Artists: Hailey Cohen as Berta; Lifan Deng as Fiorello; and Ryan Nash as the Sergeant. They are joined by the Madison Opera Chorus.
Rebecca Herman makes her Madison Opera debut directing this traditional production. The sets from New Orleans Opera are designed by Steven C. Kemp (who designed The Anonymous Lover for Madison Opera); the costumes come from Sarasota Opera; and lighting design is by Connie Yun. John DeMain conducts, with the Madison Symphony Orchestra. The opera will be sung in Italian, with projected English translations.
Madison Opera’s production of The Barber of Seville is generously sponsored by the Pleasant T. Rowland Foundation; Marshall Osborn; Martha & Charles Casey; Bea & Lau Christensen; Gialamas Family Foundation; Chun Lin; Patricia & Stephen Lucas; Kato & David Perlman; The Wallach Family; Hurley Burish, S.C. Attorneys; Amy & Jerry Nickles; and Capitol Lakes Retirement Community.
WHAT
Madison Opera Presents
The Barber of Seville
By Gioachino Rossini
Sung in Italian with projected English translations
The performance will last approximately 3 hours including one intermission
WHEN
Friday, November 1, 2024, at 7:30pm
Sunday, November 3, 2024, at 2:30pm
WHERE
Overture Hall
Overture Center for the Arts
201 State St. Madison, WI
608.258.4141
WHO
Benjamin Taylor as Figaro
Keely Futterer as Rosina
David Walton as Count Almaviva
Levi Hernandez as Dr. Bartolo
Alex Taylor as Don Basilio
Hailey Cohen as Berta
Lifan Deng as Fiorello
Ryan Nash as Sergeant
Directed by Rebecca Herman
Conducted by John DeMain
with the Madison Opera Chorus and Madison Symphony Orchestra
MORE INFORMATION
https://www.madisonopera.org/barber/
TICKETS
$20 - $160
Student and group discounts available
Related Events
OPERA TALK WITH KATHRYN SMITH: Get an (Operatic) job
Available to watch online now
FREE
Watch online here: https://www.youtube.com/madisonopera
Some characters in operas seem to have no job other than to plot murders or plan romantic trysts, sometimes simultaneously. Other opera characters – Figaro, for example – have actual professions. Join Kathryn for a dive into some of opera’s most interesting professions, from cobbler to lawyer, barber, nun, soldier, and more.
DIGITAL PREVIEW: The Barber of Seville
Streams live on Thursday, October 10 at 7pm Central, then remains online
FREE
Watch online here: https://www.youtube.com/madisonopera
Join us for a free digital preview of The Barber of Seville as General Director Kathryn Smith gives a presentation on Rossini, the history of his opera, and Madison Opera’s production. Watch live on October 10 at 7pm Central and have the chance to ask questions; after that, the preview will remain online to watch whenever you want.
OPERA UP CLOSE: The Barber of Seville
Sunday, October 27, 1 – 3pm
FREE for full-season subscribers; $10 for two-show subscribers; and $20 for non-subscribers Madison Opera Center, 335 W. Mifflin Street
Join Madison Opera for a multimedia behind-the-scenes preview of The Barber of Seville. General Director Kathryn Smith will discuss Rossini and the history of his opera. Principal artists Benjamin Taylor, Keely Futterer, and David Walton join stage director Rebecca Herman and conductor John DeMain for a roundtable discussion about Madison Opera’s production. There is no better way to get up close with the opera!
PRE-OPERA TALK
Friday, November 1, 2024, 6:30pm
Sunday, November 3, 2024, 1:30pm
FREE to ticket holders
Wisconsin Studio at Overture Center
Join General Director Kathryn Smith one hour prior to performances for an entertaining and informative talk about The Barber of Seville.
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Madison Opera is a non-profit professional opera company based in Madison, Wisconsin. Founded in 1961, the company grew from a local workshop presenting community singers in English-language productions to a nationally recognized organization producing diverse repertoire and presenting leading American opera singers alongside emerging talent. A resident organization of the Overture Center for the Arts, Madison Opera presents three productions annually in addition to the free summer concert Opera in the Park and a host of community engagement programming.
Published on September 24, 2024
