Glyndebourne’s season opens with Rossini’s Barber of Seville

Germán Olvera (Figaro)

Johan Hoskins (Count Almaviva) and Germán Olvera (Figaro)

Alessio Cacciamani (Don Basilio) and Fabio Capitanucci (Dr Bartolo)

Jonah Hoskins (Count Almaviva) and Cecilia Molinari (Rosina)

Germán Olvera (Figaro) and ensemble

By David Karlin, 17 May 2025

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“Olvera is a Mexican version of Tigger, with irrepressible energy and charisma by the bucketload”

Reviewed at Glyndebourne Opera House, Glyndebourne on 16 May 2025

Rossini, Il barbiere di Siviglia

Glyndebourne Festival Opera

Rory Macdonald, Conductor

Annabel Arden, Director

Joanna Parker, Set Designer, Costume Designer

James Farncombe, Lighting Designer

London Philharmonic Orchestra

The Glyndebourne Chorus

Cecilia Molinari, Rosina

Germán Olvera, Figaro

Jonah Hoskins, Count Almaviva

Fabio Capitanucci, Dr Bartolo

Ailish Tynan, Berta

Jonathan Eyers, Officer

Alessio Cacciamani, Don Basilio

Hector Bloggs, Fiorello

Glyndebourne revives Michieletto’s Kátya Kabanová

Mark Valencia, 3rd August

Damiano Michieletto’s production of Janáček’s opera breaks a key tenet of high-concept opera: where it should reveal, it obfuscates.

***11

All the world’s a jest: Falstaff returns to Glyndebourne

Mark Pullinger, 23rd July

Richard Jones' 2009 production returns to Glyndebourne after a long absence, but the 1940s comedy scrubs up fresh.

***11

A strong new Figaro opens at Glyndebourne

Dominic Lowe, 29th June

Mariame Clément is a popular director at Glyndebourne, and her new production of Figaro shows her trademark approach to hardhitting comedy.

****1

Glyndebourne's Saul still packs a punch 10 years on

Nick Boston, 8th June

Returning from the original run, Christopher Purves and Iestyn Davies were joined by a strong cast and chorus for a revival of Barrie Kosky's striking production.

*****

Unhurried suspense in a very English Parsifal

Peter Quantrill, 17th May

Compelling singers carry the day in the Glyndebourne Festival Opera's first staging of Wagner’s swansong.

****1

Philosophy trumps passion in Glyndebourne’s Tristan

Dominic Lowe, 29th July

Magnificent conducting from Robin Ticciati and fine singers make Glyndebourne's latest revival of Lehnhoff’s production musically rewarding, but cerebral philosophical elevation overpowers the earthy reality of lust and love.

***11

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David Karlin

David is a co-founder of Bachtrack. He is a musical omnivore interested in almost all types of music, but with a particular love of Italian opera. You can contact him from this link.

Unalloyed, escapist entertainment: The Barber of Seville opens Glyndebourne’s season