Organization

Conductor

Claudio Abbado

Stage director

Jean-Pierre Ponnelle

Set designer

Costume designer

Singer

Baritone

Hermann Prey

Figaro

Mezzo-soprano

Teresa Berganza

Rosina

Bass

Enzo Dara

Doctor Bartolo

Paolo Montarsolo

Don Basilio

Luigi Roni

An officer

Hans Kraemmer

Ambrogio

Salzburger Festspiele

Il barbiere di Siviglia -  (The Barber of Seville)

Salzburg

Austria

Seville around the mid 18th century. Count Almaviva is in love with Rosina and pretends to be the poor student Lindoro. However, her guardian, the old Dr. Bartolo, jealously guarded; because he wants to marry his rich ward himself. The witty barber Figaro is supposed to help Almaviva to approach Rosina. First, the Count gains access to Bartolo's house as a soldier. Then he returns to stand in for Rosina's allegedly ill music teacher Basilio. When he suddenly appears, Almaviva slips him a well-stocked purse. Bartolo finally manages to persuade Rosina that "Lindoro" doesn't love her at all. He sends Basilio to the notary because he wants to marry Rosina immediately. Meanwhile, Almaviva has returned and reveals his true identity to Rosina. Basilio appears with the notary and, in exchange for another bribe, witnesses the marriage of the young couple. Bartolo is at a disadvantage, but consoles himself with part of Rosina's dowry, which he is allowed to keep.
Jean-Pierre Ponnelle (1932-1988) was one of the most productive, imaginative and internationally successful directors and set designers of modern music theatre. It is not least thanks to Jean-Pierre Ponnelle and his gigantic life's artistic work that the operas of Monteverdi, Rossini and the young Mozart have the place they deserve in the repertoire today. Jean-Pierre Ponnelle set standards with exemplary productions and premieres, some of which were fortunately filmed or recorded, and shaped international music theater even after his death.

Photos