The Barber of Seville, Musica a Palazzo
The Barber of Seville, a comic opera in two acts by Gioachino Rossini, was performed for the first time in Rome in 1816, conducted by the composer himself. The opera is set in Seville at the end of the 18th century, where the wealthy Count Almaviva, on the advice of Figaro the barber, calls upon his beloved, Rosina, once in the guise of a music teacher and once as a drunken soldier.
The purpose of this charade is to remove all doubt about the sincerity of Rosina's love and her fidelity, while at the same time deceiving Rosina’s greedy guardian Dr. Bartolo, who also plans to marry her. After much confusion, the story ends happily when the lovers are finally able to marry.
The opera "The Barber of Seville" is a part of the cycle "Musica a Palazzo"
At the Palazzo Barbarigo Minotto you can experience the unique musical highlight “Musica a Palazzo” right on the Grand Canal in the heart of the city and offers opera lovers a feast for both the eyes and the ears.
The entertaining combination of opera performances in the historic setting of the aristocratic Barbarigo-Minotto palace revives the tradition of the salon, which since the 17th century had been a place where musicians, writers and philosophers had gathered. These popular gatherings, which met almost exclusively in private homes, often centered on a piano. The pianist was often accompanied by string instruments and one or two singers, creating a small chamber ensemble that offered the invited guests a jolly evening of entertainment.
The Musica a Palazzo ensemble is made up of extraordinarily talented artists with international reputations, who shine in even a small formation, and captivate the audience with their passionate virtuosity.
Every act, each scene is played in a different room, for example the Sala Tiepolo, which boasts an original fresco by the Venetian painter, allowing listeners to enjoy operas like La Traviata, The Barber of Seville, Rigoletto and the most beautiful romantic duets up close in the intimacy of the palace’s small rooms.