Rossini’s The Barber of Seville Florida Grand Opera

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An exceptional cast of Rossini specialists and South Florida favorites close out FGO’s 2022-23 season in The Barber of Seville, Rossini’s most popular and successful opera of all time. With an overture made famous by Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd, the ubiquitous "Figaro, Figaro, FI-GA-RO" of the work's best-known aria, and nonstop comedic antics, this gem has remained a constant and fresh favorite for over 200 years.

The Spanish Count Almaviva enlists the aid of Seville's favorite factotum, the barber Figaro, to gain access to the home of the elderly lawyer Dr. Bartolo in order to court his ward, Rosina. Rosina is not only beautiful, intelligent, and spirited, but quite wealthy, and Bartolo wishes to take advantage of his legal guardianship to force her into marriage. To ensure that Rosina loves him for himself rather than his title and fortune, Almaviva presents himself to her as "Lindoro," a penniless student. Rosina's love is true. Figaro carries notes between the lovers and helps the Count enter the home under the guises of a drunken soldier with housing orders and a substitute music teacher. Each time, his attempts to escape with Rosina are foiled. Upon discovering these plots, Bartolo convinces Rosina that "Lindoro" is nothing more than a lackey of the wicked Count Almaviva, who is using him to seduce her by proxy. Heartbroken, Rosina agrees to marry Bartolo. Fortunately, Figaro and the Count manage to climb a ladder to her bedroom window, lock Bartolo out, and get the notary to marry Rosina and the Count instead.

The opera is based on 1775's Le barbier de Séville ou la précaution inutile (The Barber of Seville or The Useless Precaution), the first play of the famous trilogy by French polymath Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais. Originally intended as a comic opera, with original music and characters based on stock commedia dell'arte characters, it did not achieve lasting success as an opera until Rossini's version burst onto the scene in 1816.

Fresh from a tour with the Metropolitan Opera Guild, South Korean baritone Young-Kwang Yoo makes his

FGO debut as the lovable rascal Figaro, a role he previously sang to great acclaim with Cleveland Opera Theater. The rising star has appeared in opera, oratorio, and televised performances throughout the U.S. and South Korea.

Returning as a guest artist after two years in the Studio Program, mezzo-soprano Stephanie Doche brings her brilliant coloratura and charming stage presence to Rosina, having recently performed the role with Gulf Shore Opera. An FGO favorite during her Studio Artist years, Doche won acclaim in the 2022 season as Eunice in A Streetcar Named Desire, Giovanna and Maddalena in Rigoletto, and Narciso in Agrippina

International tenor Michele Angelini returns to FGO as Count Almaviva for the first time since 2013, when he appeared opposite Metropolitan Opera soprano Rachel Gilmore as Elvino in La Sonnambula. In demand as a rare true Rossini tenor and bel canto specialist, Almaviva is one of Angelini's signature roles which he has performed with The Metropolitan Opera, the Edinburgh International Festival, Covent Garden, and The Norwegian Opera, to name a few.

Bass-baritone and FGO stalwart Kristopher Irmiter's 115 roles, performed in every state in the U.S. and throughout

Canada, have made him one of North America's most recognized low voices. He returns to FGO to make his role debut as Dr. Bartolo. Previous appearances include Athaniel in Thaïs, Monaoh in Szulamit, Scarpia in Tosca, Oscar Hubbard in Regina, and the title role in 2016's Don Pasquale.

Rounding out the cast are former Studio Artist Brazilian bass-baritone Rafael Porto as Don Basilio and soprano Susan Neves as Berta.

“The Barber of Seville is the perfect ender for our 202223 season,” says FGO General Director and CEO Susan T. Danis. “It’s like the perfect dessert after an excellent meal --- sweet, light, charming, absolutely delectable, and leaving you satisfied. And although it’s a lot of fun, you’re also getting some serious vocal talent. Michele Angelini is one of the top Rossini tenors in the world right now. Young-Kwang Yoo is a real up-and-coming talent. And we are so excited to have our own Stephanie Doche back as Rosina, a role in which she is already making waves.”