Elijah Moshinsky’s production of Rossini’s delightful masterpiece The Barber of Seville, is making a joyful return to Melbourne, opening Opera Australia’s highly anticipated debut season in the Regent Theatre on 31 October 2025.
An energetic production blending opera and slapstick, Moshinsky’s staging places the action in a world inspired by 1920s silent films. The playful comedy unfolds on Michael Yeargan’s vibrant, life-size dolls house set, making for a visually captivating performance.
Audiences will instantly recognise Rossini’s sparkling music that has also featured prominently in popular culture including Robin Williams’ opening scene of Mrs Doubtfire singing the iconic aria, Largo al factotum, better known as Fi-ga-ro! Figaro! Figaro!
For its inaugural season at the Regent, OA’s productions will run in ‘stagione’, meaning the same opera will perform its full run on consecutive nights, before the next production opens. This is different to the company’s usual ‘repertory’ programming, where different operas alternate each night.
In order to perform the demanding lead roles of Figaro, Rosina, Count Almaviva and Dr Bartolo night after night, two cast are required – hence this season will showcase even more wonderful Australian talent to Melbourne audiences.
The all-star cast will include baritones Samuel Dundas and Simon Meadows as Figaro. Helen Sherman and Emily Edmonds will share the role of Rosina and Melbourne local Shanul Sharma, and tenor John Longmuir, both perform as Count Almaviva.
They’ll be joined on stage by the Opera Australia Gents Chorus with Tahu Matheson, OA’s Head of Music, conducting Orchestra Victoria, immersing the audience in Rossini’s enthusiastic score.
Taking Rossini just thirteen days to write, The Barber of Seville is the only comic opera that held its own among the tragedies of the nineteenth century and, 200 years later it remains a must-see opera.
Set in Seville, Figaro is the friendly but mischievous neighbourhood barber who tasks himself with the matchmaking mission to unite the two young lovers, Count Almaviva and Rosina.
What ensues is a hilarious evening of disguise and duplicity as Figaro attempts to outwit the ensemble of characters trying to keep the lovers apart.
Conductor: Tahu Matheson | Director: Elijah Moshinsky | Revival Director: Heather Fairbairn | Featuring: Samuel Dundas, Simon Meadows, Helen Sherman, Emily Edmonds, Shanul Sharma, John Longmuir, Andrew Moran, Shane Lowrencev, David Parkin, Jane Ede, Clifford Plumpton, Jonathan Alley, Opera Australia Gents Chorus, Orchestra Victoria | Set Designer: Michael Yeargan | Costume Designer: Dona Granata | Lighting Designer: Howard Harrison
The Barber of Seville
Regent Theatre, Collins Street, Melbourne
Season: 31 October – 5 November 2025
Information and Bookings: www.opera.org.au
Image: Opera Australia’s production of The Barber of Seville (2016) – photo by Keith Saunders