Set Designer

It’s a rambunctious tale: an old curmudgeon is set on marrying his own ward of court with a view to snapping up her considerable inheritance. He leaves no stone unturned in his efforts to keep the fair Rosina cloistered from the outside world and thus from any potential young suitors. A pity, then, that Count Almaviva has fallen head over heels for her. Assisted by Figaro, an enterprising barber, he plans to outwit the old man, win over Rosina – and ensure that it’s love that attracts her to him rather than his rank and wealth. Not an easy job for Figaro, seeing as the opposite camp is scheming with equal tenacity … Love wins out in the end, and it turns out that all precautions were useless!

The Barber of Seville

Deutsche Oper Berlin

Anyone in Seville who needs help goes to Figaro – the barber has a solution for every problem, because he knows everyone in the city, is well-informed about all the gossip and many owe him a favour. This time, he is to help Count Almaviva free Rosina, who has been imprisoned by her guardian, and win her heart. The then 23-year-old Gioachino Rossini is said to have composed Il barbiere di Siviglia in just three weeks – an opera full of rousing bel canto arias, fast-paced ensembles and dizzying situational comedy. Director Katharina Thalbach skilfully captures the humour of the original work: She relocates the action to a seaside resort where one morning a theatre wagon arrives, carrying characters from the Commedia dell’Arte. Tourists become the audience of a spectacle that blurs the lines between large and small stages, offers many surprising twists and turns and, thanks to Guido Maria Kretschmer's costumes, delights the funny bone and the eyes. Our young Italian conductor, Giovanni Conti, takes to the podium, accompanied by numerous new virtuoso ensemble members.

Il barbiere di Siviglia

In his eponymous parable, Bertolt Brecht explores a profound question: Is it more exhausting to be good or to play the villain? As Brecht himself answers, using the example of Shen Te, whose good nature is exploited by everyone, it depends on the prevailing circumstances. Cong Su, who won an Oscar for his score to Bernardo Bertolucci's cinematic hit *The Last Emperor*, has adapted the parable for the opera stage. For its world premiere at the same venue, Brecht specialist and former artistic director of the Linz State Theatre, Stephan Suschke, returns to Linz.

Set Designer

Momme Röhrbein

Events

Upcoming events

May 23 - Jun 4, 2027

Il barbiere di Siviglia · Deutsche Oper Berlin

Jun 5, 2027

Premiere: Der Gute Mensch Von Sezuan · Bruckner Orchester Linz

Past events

Dec 22, 2025 - Mar 27, 2026

The Barber of Seville · Deutsche Oper Berlin

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