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The Barber of Seville (Il Barbiere di Siviglia)

1814: the abdication of Napoleon, the reinstitution of the monarchy. The times of The Restoration saw the theatres once again full of an avid public from Vienna to Rome, from Milan to Paris. The aristocracy hoped for a complete return to the old regime, and the 'new class' of bourgeoisie dreamt at last of a profitable business climate. Rossinni was the composer of this period, with works which combine at once an ideological reaction to politics, a total joy of living and, perhaps most importantly, a sophisticated mode of artistic communication.
When it debuted in 1816, it was hard to imagine that Rossini's The Barber of Seville would become one of the  world's most famous comic operas. With its vibrant cast of characters and dynamic musical overture, The Barber of Seville took on a different approach to the opera genre. Its setting and characters introduces its audience on a delightful romp through the streets of Seville, Spain. After falling in love at first sight with the beautiful Rosina, Count Almaviva finds himself on a whimsical journey to capture her heart.