ΕΝΑΣ ΔΙΑΧΡΟΝΙΚΑ ΔΙΑΣΗΜΟΣ "ΚΟΥΡΕΑΣ"

29 ΝΟΕΜΒΡΙΟΥ 1825

ΕΠΙΣΗΜΗ ΠΡΩΤΗ ΣΤΗ ΝΕΑ ΥΟΡΚΗ

ΤΟΥ "ΚΟΥΡΕΑ ΤΗΣ ΣΕΒΙΛΗΣ",
ΤΗΣ ΠΡΩΤΗΣ ΙΤΑΛΙΚΗΣ ΟΠΕΡΑΣ ΠΟΥ
ΠΑΡΟΥΣΙΑΖΕΤΑΙ ΣΤΙΣ ΗΠΑ

The Barber of Seville, or The Useless Precaution (Il barbiere di Siviglia, ossia L'inutile precauzione) is an opera buffa in two acts by Gioachino Rossini with a libretto (based on Pierre Beaumarchais's comedy Le Barbier de Séville) by Cesare Sterbini. The overture, first written for Aureliano in Palmira, is a famous example of Rossini's characteristic Italian style.
Director
Emilio Sagi
Choreography
Nuria Castejón
Cast
Count Almaviva: Juan Diego Flórez
Doctor Bartolo: Bruno Pratico
Rosina: Maria Bayo
Figaro: Pietro Spagnoli
Basilio: Ruggero Raimondi
Fiorello: Marco Moncloa

Gianluigi Gelmetti (conductor)
Orchestra of the Real Theatre, Madrid
Madrid Symphony Orchesta

Gioachino Rossini's masterpiece exists in many versions but this new staging from the Real Teatre in Madrid has a lot going for it. First of all there is a star-studded cast including Juan Diego Flórez, Maria Bayo, Pietro Spagnoli and Ruggero Raimondi, four voices which blend beautifully. Then there is the talented artistic director, Emilio Sagi, who takes librettist Pierre-Augustin de Beaumarchais literally and produces apt and carefully-orchestrated 'organised madness' on stage.

The all-white sets offset the local colour in the people of Seville, who are brilliantly choreographed to provide a backdrop to the action. The production is set in the 18th century, towards the end of the ancient regime at the dawn of the Age of Enlightenment. Colour and lighting are used as elements of the drama rather than simply stage design, a dramatic effect in an entirely black and white production where colour is only allowed to infiltrate once the happy ending is assured. And conducted by the great Rossini expert, Gianluigi Gelmetti, this is a feast for all the senses.