Gioachino Rossini THE BARBER OF SEVILLE 170 min

When, at the beginning of the 19th c. Gioachino Rossini with the help of librettist Cesare Sterbini reached out for Figaro of de Beaumarchais, he did not mind that it was already put to music by Paisiello and Mozart. He created a work that even today emanates healthy humour and freshness showing its genius and the skilfulness of its author. The opera of bright music humour experienced what Ludwig van Beethoven anticipated in 1822: As long as the Italian Opera will exist, this work will be performed! Soon after the world opening night the opera became one of the most popular operas of all times with which Rossini introduced a new music expression and with stage realism marked a new period in opera history. The magic of music and stage bravuras which are in abundance in this work, constantly attract the audiences, while the joy and healthy life philosophy break down prejudices about opera art and gain the attention of the youngest opera audiences. The Zagreb production directed by Krešimir Dolenčić with an excellent cast is exactly this.