Press Release:
Opera Australia is embarking on its 26th annual National Tour with a new production by director Priscilla Jackman of Gioachino Rossini’s The Barber of Seville, which is set to cause comic chaos on the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre stage as part of Merrigong Theatre Company’s 2022 Season for two nights only, 19 20 August.
In a contemporary Australian reimagining of Rossini’s The Barber of Seville, award-winning director Jackman brings a hipster aesthetic to the famous barber Figaro and presents leading lady Rosina as more than just a pretty face. The story has been set in the real-life Victorian town of Seville, nestled amongst the renowned Yarra Valley wine region.
Artistic Director Lyndon Terracini has impressed the ongoing value the National Tour has in increasing audience access to world-class performances.
“The National Tour remains a key opportunity and a great pleasure for Opera Australia to bring exceptional talent to a broad range of audiences, particularly those living in regional areas. Many of this cast are coming directly from acclaimed seasons at the Sydney Opera House and Arts Centre Melbourne to perform in a premiere production for audiences’ right in their hometown.”
“We are particularly thrilled to be working with a director of Priscilla Jackman’s calibre, who has created this wonderful production that brings forth the fun and frivolity of Rossini’s music.” he said.
This production of The Barber of Seville fizzes and pops with lyrical acrobatics and irrepressibly funny characters by Opera Australia’s finest voices. In a role debut for both, sopranos Esther Song and Cathy-Di Zhang will share the role of Rosina. Two of Australia’s finest young tenors, Nicholas Jones and John Longmuir, will share the role of Count Almaviva and baritones Haotian Qi and Andrew Williams will share the role of Figaro.
This is opera at its light-hearted, effervescent best.
Creatives
Conductor Luke Spicer
Director Priscilla Jackman
Set Designer Michael Scott-Mitchell
Costume Designer Sabina Myers
Lighting Designer Morgan Moroney
Orchestration Simon Bruckard
Cast
Rosina Esther Song, Cathy-Di Zhang
Count Almaviva Nicholas Jones, John Longmuir
Figaro Haotian Qi, Andrew Williams
Dr Bartolo Andrew Moran, Michael Lampard
Don Basilio/ Fiorello Shane Lowrencev, David King
Berta Jennifer Black, Dominica Matthews
DATES: 19 – 20 August 2022
TIMES: 7.30pm
LOCATION: IPAC – IMB Theatre
TICKETS: $69 – $99
BOOKINGS: https://merrigong.com.au/shows/the-barber-of-seville/
