The Barber of Seville

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Ross Zentner

David Walton (left) and Benjamin Taylor in "The Barber of Seville."

David Walton (left) and Benjamin Taylor in Madison Opera's production of "The Barber of Seville," 2024.

“Besides the fact that The Barber of Seville is a brilliant opera and I love it, I wanted to give audiences a comedy on the weekend before the election,” says Madison Opera general director Kathryn Smith. Smith describes the Rossini classic as a romcom. “Boy and girl want to get together, and the plot is about overcoming things that prevent them from getting together, like disguises, thunderstorms and shaving cream.” Plus, if you know the tunes from just one opera, it’s probably this one. Performances at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 1 and 2:30 p.m. on Nov. 3.

media release: 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. Join General Director Kathryn Smith one hour prior to performances for an entertaining and informative talk about The Barber of Seville.

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.