OBSERVER: Barber of Seville
The aria Largo Al Factotum (think Figaro Figaro Figaro!) is one of the best known in opera and has been used to grace advertisements and cartoons over the years.
It’s one of those tunes you might not know the name of, but you certainly recognise it.
Largo Al Factotum, meaning make way for the factotum, or jack of all trades, was penned by Rossini for his still-popular opera The Barber of Seville.
It’s a classic comic opera plot, of love, intrigue and silliness, all complemented by the most beautiful music that has audiences humming as they leave the theatre.
Two hundred years on from its heyday,, The Barber, as it is popularly known, is still a must-see opera that hasn’t dated and fallen by the wayside, as happened with so many of its contemporaries.
Given that it is still such a fun show with clever and catchy music, it’s mind-blowing that Rossini wrote it in just 13 days.
In the middle of rehearsals, baritone Samuel Dundas, who plays the title character Figaro, the barber of Seville, says getting his head around the fact that it only took 13 days is a humbling experience.
“It certainly took me a lot longer than 13 days to learn!” quipped Samuel.
Opera Australia is currently staging The Barber of Seville at the Regent Theatre for a short season, but unlike most opera seasons, that alternate different operas so you don’t wear out the singers’ voices by having them perform acoustically every night, Opera Australia has taken the unusual step of double casting the opera, with the alternate Figaro being Simon Meadows.
Both casts are full of fine Australian operatic talent, and you can enjoy Rossini’s The Barber of Seville at theRegent Theatre on October 31, and November 1, 3, 4 and 5. Book tickets at opera.org.au or by calling 9685 3700.
Julie Houghton
Pictured: Sam Dundas