The Barber of Seville by Rossini, Tue 10 Jan 2023, From (2022/2023), Directed by Magdalena Švecová,, Conductor Jaroslav Kyzlink, Jan Chalupecký, Národní divadlo (National Theatre), Prague, Czech Republic

For over two centuries, Gioachino Rossini has been one of the most celebrated opera composers, and it might even have been the case if he had written nothing but Il barbiere di Siviglia. Both its genesis and premiere were connected with all kinds of twists and turns, which accompany many a play and opera. The piece had to be completed hastily, rehearsed and staged even more hastily; it was a setting of a literary work that had been used several times; the premiere was poorly received and affected by scandal, etc. In hindsight and knowing the fates of other creations, such circumstances would seem to be the best prerequisite for future success. Four years after the opera’s world premiere, in 1816 at the Teatro Argentino in Rome, Il barbiere di Siviglia was first presented, in German translation, at the Estates Theatre in Prague, which in 1825 staged the piece in Czech, owing mainly to the composer and conductor František Škroup (known primarily for creating the melody of the Czech national anthem), who would later on also give Czech premieres of operas by Wagner and others. The Provisional Theatre included Il barbiere di Siviglia in its repertoire during its very first season. Later on the opera was also undertaken by the National Theatre, which to date has adapted it in more than ten productions. The newest production was entrusted to Magdalena Švecová, who has directed an adaptation of Smetana’s The Bartered Bride that ranks among the longest performed in the National Theatre’s history. The costumes have been created by Kateřina Štefková, the scenery by David Janošek. The score was enthusiastically undertaken by Jaroslav Kyzlink, the music director of the National Theatre Opera.