Laugh out loud opera coming to Ulumbarra

AN OVER two-hundred-year-old opera comedy is being reimagined by Opera Australia and is scheduled for Ulumbarra Theatre next month.

Barber of Seville, composed by Gioachino Rossini in the 1800s, is OA’s national tour for 2022 and the show will travel through south-east Australia.

The opera is performed in Italian with English subtitles and tells the story of a love triangle between the confident, young and beautiful Rosina, the old man Bartolo to whom she is unwillingly betrothed, and the wealthy Count Almaviva who she loves.

Esther Song plays the role of Rosina, and said the show is very witty and full of deception and lyrical acrobatics, driven especially by titular character Figaro the barber who’s tasked with setting Almaviva and Rosina up.

“Barber of Seville is a comedy opera story that carries many aspects of humanity like money, love, lust, relationships,” she said.

Song said despite the opera being 200 years old, the set and costumes are quite modern and fashionable, with vibrant colours and lighting.

Opera Australia’s 2021 national tour was restricted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Song said she’s excited to travel to more places this year.

“Me and my husband are both in the tour, he’s playing the barber… we grabbed the chance right away,” she said.

“it’s always a good opportunity [to travel], but especially when we go to rural places, I feel more welcome.

“They’re much more responsive. It’s a lot of fun and when the audience is drawn in they communicate with us through reactions. It’s easier for us, it makes us fuller as characters. It’s a really good feeling.”

Barber of Seville hits the Ulumbarra stage on Saturday, 23 July. For tickets head to bit.ly/3bbqay6.