The Barber of Seville

Gioachino Rossini

  • For whom
    For everyone who wants pace, laughter, and light summer-evening fizz from their opera. An excellent choice for first-timers too.
  • If you liked these
    The Marriage of Figaro, The Magic Flute, Don Giovanni, The Fairy Queen
  • Good to know
    Rossini composed The Barber of Seville at just 23, and it became his most celebrated opera. Its most famous character is of course Figaro — barber, fixer, schemer, and the true jack-of-all-trades of all Seville.
  • Age recommendation
    10 years and older
  • Language
    Italian; Finnish and English surtitles
  • Duration
    About 3 hours, 1 intermission
  • Tickets
    Tickets from €69.90 + order fee (from €1.50 + 0.65% of the order)
  • Premiere
    3.7.2027 klo 19

Tickets are already on sale for members of the Savonlinna Opera Festival Patrons’ Association! Gold, Platinum and Diamond members receive a -20 % discount 9.–22.6. U29 and Silver members can purchase tickets with a -15 % discount 16.–22.6. Read more and join as a member here. General ticket sales open 23.6. at 10 am. The early bird discount -10 % on price categories 1–4 and box seats is available until 30.6.2026.

In opera we learn one thing: love is never easy, and sometimes there are several obstacles on the way to a happy ending. Rosina is in love with the young, handsome and supposedly poor Lindoro. Unbeknownst to her, that is not his real identity. In reality, Lindoro is Count Almaviva, who has appeared in disguise to win her heart and outwit Rosina’s strict guardian Bartolo. Count Almaviva enlists the services of Figaro to his help, the quick-witted barber who navigates the chaos like the master puppeteer he is. Will Rosina and the Count find each other in the end? 

 “The Barber of Seville is hilariously fun, modern summer nonsense”
(Helsingin Sanomat 2019)

Gioachino Rossini’s brilliantly sparkling music, including one of the most famous arias ever composed — Figaro’s legendary cavatina — is as charming, witty and upbeat as the story itself. Fast-paced, funny and full of energy, The Barber of Seville becomes, in Kari Heiskanen’s staging and Teemu Muurimäki’s bright, expressive costume design, an opera evening filled with laughter and joy from the very first bars. 

The critics agree: “The Barber of Seville is hilariously fun, modern summer nonsense” (Helsingin Sanomat 2019) and Etelä-Suomen Sanomat asks: “Has there ever been so much laughter at Olavinlinna Castle?” (2019)

Trailer and videos

Synopsis

The young Count Almaviva is in love with Rosina, who lives in the house of her guardian, Doctor Bartolo. Bartolo wants to marry Rosina himself and keeps a very close watch over her. Almaviva, however, is not ready to give up. He turns for help to Seville’s most resourceful fixer: the barber Figaro. 

Figaro comes up with one scheme after another to help Almaviva get close to Rosina. The Count disguises himself as a soldier and as a music teacher, secret letters are passed around, doors slam, and the lies pile up. Rosina is anything but a helpless young woman: she knows what she wants and is ready to fight for her own happiness. 

Bartolo tries to prevent the young couple’s love until the very last moment, but Figaro’s cleverness and Almaviva’s persistence win the day. Almaviva reveals his true identity, Rosina gets the man she loves, and Bartolo is left empty-handed. 

Team

  • Conductor

    N.N.

  • Stage director

    Kari Heiskanen

  • Set designer

    Antti Mattila

  • Costume designer

    Teemu Muurimäki

  • Choreographer

    Lotta Kuusisto

  • Make up and hair designer

    Kaarina Kokkonen

  • Lighting designer

    William Iles

  • Chorus master

    Jan Schweiger

  • Savonlinna Opera Festival Choir
    Savonlinna Opera Festival Orchestra

Cast

Arttu Kataja
Figaro
Fabio Capitanucci
Bartolo
Iris Candelaria
Rosina
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