Gioachino Rossini

The Barber of Seville

Close shaves a speciality.

12 Feb–29 Feb 2024

Jonathan Miller’s classic production of The Barber of Seville is a feast of frivolous fun.

Enjoy Figaro’s mischievous escapades as he assists Count Almaviva in prising the beautiful Rosina away from her lecherous guardian, Dr Bartolo. Be prepared for ridiculous disguises, elaborate deceptions, mistaken identities and the closest of shaves as barber Figaro helps the young lovers find a way to be together.

Gioachino Rossini’s comic masterpiece fizzes with memorable melodies in an entertaining opera that unites the theatrical worlds of Italian commedia dell’arte and Whitehall farce.

American conductor, Roderick Cox, makes his ENO debut alongside an exceptional cast – including ENO favourite Charles Rice (Figaro) and one of the most versatile bass-baritones of his generation, Simon Bailey  (Dr Bartolo). The cast is rounded out with ENO Harewood Artist Innocent Masuku (Count Almaviva) and Irish soprano Anna Devin (Rosina) will be making her ENO debut.

The role of Count Almaviva is generously supported by Philip Carne MBE & Christine Carne

Book now to see one of opera’s funniest works, Rossini’s The Barber of Seville, on the London Coliseum stage.

‘this is why we should treasure ENO’

The Independent

“it just keeps getting better and better”

Daily Express

'This is one of those rare productions firing on all cylinders; a delight to attend'

Bachtrack

Running Time
3hrs 05mins

There is one interval.

Access

We have an Access Scheme for our audiences with a disability, a health condition, or different access needs to ensure everyone has a comfortable and enjoyable visit.

Tickets
Tickets start at just £10 plus £3.75 booking fee and £1.50 building levy per ticket. A maximum of £10.50 per transaction is charged.
Language
Sung in English with the words displayed above the stage (Surtitles)

Age guidance: 5+

For more information, please contact our box office on 020 7845 9300 or [email protected]

Discover The Barber of Seville

The Barber of Seville Creative Team 2024

The Barber of Seville Cast 2024

The Barber of Seville FAQs

A performance of The Barber of Seville at the London Coliseum is roughly 3hrs 15 mins with one interval. Book your opera tickets here to enjoy the ENO’s 2024 performance. 

Yes, Figaro is the barber in Gioachino Rossinis opera. He is a central character throughout the story and is well-known for his charm and wit – he also appears in Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro. 

The Barber of Seville is a comedic opera full of humour and light-hearted moments, making it a popular choice for opera newbies. Not only is it sung in English at the ENO, but its familiar arias make this opera a more accessible and less intimidating choice for beginner audiences. If you’d like to experience a lively and vibrant show live, this season’s performances will be perfect for you. 

The ENO production of The Barber of Seville is sung in English with the words displayed above the stage in surtitles. Though Rossini originally composed the work in Italian, this widely performed opera has been translated into several different languages for performances around the globe. 

The comedic opera is based on the 1775 French play of the same name, ‘Le Barbier de Séville, by Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais. Rossini drew his inspiration and characters directly from this comedic piece of work.