News and Features

What you thought of: Il barbiere di Siviglia

You can read a selection of press reviews and audience reactions below.

The curtain has now gone up on this summer’s revival of Annabel Arden’s production of Il barbiere di siviglia.

Read what the critics and audience had to say about the production.

Audience reaction

‘Amazingly good. Probably the best sung Barber I have seen.’

– Audience member

‘Fabulous singing, great acting, brilliant set & wonderful music!’

– Audience member

‘Amaviva and Rosina were phenomenal. Singing and acting world class.’

– Audience member

Such a magical evening – first trip to @glyndebourne to see The Barber of Seville. MINDBLOWING @ Glyndebourne Festival Opera https://t.co/H573ZaQ6Cd

— Mat Whitecross (@MatWhitecross) May 19, 2019

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A chilly evening but an outstanding performance of Il Barbiera di Siviglia at Glyndebourne. . Evening suit @chester_barrie Glen check cashmere scarf @johnstonsofelgin Shoes @barkershoesltd Silk shirt @buddshirtmakers Vintage button cuff links @abi_insoll . #glyndebourne #opera #barberofseville #blacktie #englishstyle #summerseason #eveningsuit @glyndebourne

A post shared by David Evans (@greyfoxblog) on May 19, 2019 at 2:53pm PDT

Amazing opening night of Barbiere @glyndebourne. Wonderful cast and @rafaelpayare @LPOrchestra sounding on top form in the pit. Congrats to all. pic.twitter.com/yVcCzEM5b7

— Terry Shew (@terryshew) May 20, 2019

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A fantastic day @glyndebourne with some very lovely friends, all of whom added to the joys of the day. So pleased we caught the stunning production of Il Barbiere di Siviglia Just the most joyous, energetic, life-affirming, fun performances- all star performances and conducted & directed perfectly. #rossini #ilbarbieredisiviglia #barberofseville #glyndebourne #glyndebourneopera

A post shared by Giles (@caspartwd) on May 19, 2019 at 1:42pm PDT

What the critics are saying

‘Hera Hyesang Park [’s] singing as Rossini’s determinedly provocative heroine Rosina is indeed phenomenal… Hyesang Park inhabited the role and made it her own’

– The Times

‘the Glyndebourne Chorus in fine voice and the London Philharmonic on terrific form under Rafael Payare’

– Daily Telegraph

‘a sparkling revival… Levy Sekgapane lit up the stage… Park’s spitfire Rosina… wowed in the zinging duet with Andrei Zhilikhovsky’s lovable rogue of a Figaro.’

– Bachtrack

‘Levy Sekgapane…has genuine mastery of this florid music, allied to a bright, ringing tone. Yet he brings more reflective shades into the mix: this is a rather macho and confident Almaviva who manages his disguises well.’

– Classical Source

‘The sets are stylish and eye-poppingly colourful… and the costumes are a riot of influences from Balenciaga to commedia dell’arte.’

– The Stage