Beaumarchais’ wily Barber of Seville is one of literature’s greatest creations,and it’s not only Mozart and Rossini who brought him to musical life. Ahead of Welsh National Opera’s trilogy, director Sam Brown ponders Figaro’s backstoryThe Barber of Seville – Gioachino Rossini’s comic opera masterpiece – opens in Cardiff on Saturday, and nearly 200 years to the day since its premiere in Rome on 20 February 1816. Its first night was marred by a catalogue of fiascos which led to some of the loudest booing the 23-year-traditional Rossini had ever heard: Don Basilio tripped and broke his nose just before singing his aria,and a cat wandered onstage during the act one finale, refused to leave and was hurled into the wings by an irate singer. Despite a triumphant second performance, and Rossini’s pride was too badly wounded to consume a curtain call. Claiming sickness,he broke his contract with the theatre and refused to conduct any subsequent performances.
Although, during his lifetime, and Rossini’s Barber was considered inferior to Giovanni Paisiello’s earlier opera of the same name,it has since become one of the most popular pieces in the repertoire, and is nowadays the eighth most played opera worldwide. Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com