Il barbiere di Siviglia: Caracalla 2022
About the Event
Experience opera like never before in this astonishing open air performance of Rossini's Il barbiere di Siviglia at Rome's remarkable Baths of Caracalla.
Opera buffa in two acts
Libretto by Cesare Sterbini
after Barber of Seville by Pierre‐Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais
The Barber of Seville is an opera buffa in two acts composed by Rossini in 1813. The libretto, by Cesare Sterbini, was based on the French comedy “Le Barbier de Seville” (1775) by Beaumarchais. Count Almaviva, a rich young Spanish nobleman, falls in love with Rosina, a young, but not entirely‐defenseless orphan. Rosina's elderly guardian is determined to marry her, but with the help of the cunning barber. Figaro, young love prevails!
Baths of Caracalla
The Baths of Caracalla are one of the best remaining examples of the ancient public baths of Rome. The city´s second largest Roman thermae, or public baths, Caracalla is the only site in which it has been possible to restore the original decorative scheme. Built during the reigns of the Emperors Septimius Severus and Caracalla 212 AD to 216 AD, under imperial patronage, the baths were immensely popular. Contemporary descriptions create a picture of oriental paving in coloured marble, enormous marble columns, glass paste mosaics, painted stucco, marbled walls and hundreds of colossal statues. Nonetheless, the baths fell into disuse in the 6th Century, and were allowed to decay. Extensive excavations in the 19th and 20th Centuries returned the Baths to their current state.
Since 2001, this spectacular venue hosts concerts and performances of operas on a movable stage outwith the main structure, so as not to put stress on the ancient ruins.
Practical Information
with italian and english surtitles
Cast / Production
Conductor Stefano Montanari
Director Lorenzo Mariani
Movement Director Luciano Cannito
Chorus Master Roberto Gabbiani
Set Designer William Orlandi
Costume Designer Silvia Aymonino
Lighting Designer Linus Fellbom
Figaro Davide Luciano
Rosina Cecilia Molinari
Il Conte Di Almaviva Rene’ Barbera
Don Bartolo Marco Filippo Romano
Don Basilio Alex Esposito
Berta Francesca Benitez
Fiorello Davide Giangregorio
Teatro dell’Opera di Roma Orchestra and Chorus
