Organization

Stage director

Antonio Petris

Conductor

Stefano Seghedoni

Costume designer

Greta Podestà

Salvatore Rousseau

Set designer

Choreographer

Giuseppe Parente

State Opera Varna

Il barbiere di Siviglia -  (The Barber of Seville)

Varna

Bulgaria

Summer Theatre

Public

The Barber of Seville

Approved

Fifth production of "The Barber of Seville" at the Varna Opera - premiere on April 12, 2012.
The first premiere of the opera The Barber of Seville in Varna was directed by the great Bulgarian opera singer Petar Raichev (1887–1960), chief artistic director at the founding of the Varna Opera. March 9, 2012 marks the 125th anniversary of his birth. The premiere of this first production took place on December 24, 1950 under the direction of Yosko Yosifov. Following are the productions from 1972, 1990 and 2007 and the current, fifth production in the opera history of Varna.

Highlights in the Italian reading of The Barber of Seville 2012

Stefano Szegedoni - conductor

I especially chose the chamber ensemble of the orchestra, because it better recreates the atmosphere of the era to which the opera belongs. For this co-production, I chose a light score, because in productions since the 1950s, Rossini's scores sound more like Verdi's, and our Italian team is looking for a more Italian sound and a more interesting color.

Antonio Petris - director

My directorial reading follows the direction set by music. Using the principle of theater in theater, in "The Barber of Seville" we import a puppet theater, directed by Figaro. At one point, Figaro abandoned his puppet theater and continued his directing activities off stage. The idea is that fictional and real life, art and life are constantly intertwined.

Salvatore Rousseau is a costume designer

I try to recreate the musical image of the characters through the costumes. The concept suggests that the costumes for the "Barber of Seville" target the tradition of the era. Figaro is present as the main character who drives the action, he brings a very good sense of humor, fixes complicated situations and makes everyone happy in the end. However, you will also see him in the typical clown costume. What is new in our interpretation is that at one point the clown transfers his behavior from Comedy del Arte to life off stage.

Giuseppe Parente is a choreographer

Unlike many other productions, where the ballet is given a small role, in the Varna production of "The Barber of Seville" choreography occupies a worthy place. Along with the beautiful ballerinas of the Varna Opera, the other characters, led by Figaro, are involved in it. Elements of Comedy del Arte predominate, but they are part of a complete and homogeneous spectacle.

English

The Barber of Seville by Rossini, From (2012/2012), Directed by Antonio Petris,, Conductor Stefano Seghedoni, Summer Theatre, Varna, Bulgaria

Performance credits (Cast & Crew )

Crew

Program, About & Synopsis

Photos

Further reading

Performance Dates & Venues

Venues