Based on Rossini’s Barber of Seville. A new OperaQ performing version by Lindy Hume and Craig Allister Young

The Adventures of Figaro is a high-energy, colourful riot of sunny-Spanish madness in which performers sing, dance, act and play their way through a 90 minute version of Rossini’s much-loved opera, The Barber of Seville.

This madcap tale follows a lively Figaro as he attempts to help Count Almaviva (his former boss) rescue Rosina (the Count’s crush) from the romantic sights of the doddery Doctor Bartolo.

OperaQ’s Lindy Hume will direct her adventurous and dynamic new adaptation of Rossini’s much loved opera, The Barber of Seville accompanied by an effervescent new musical arrangement by Queensland Symphony Orchestra’s Craig Allister Young.

The Adventures of Figaro features celebrated Queensland performers including Jason Barry-Smith in the title role as the famous barber, a dynamic ensemble of four singers and three musicians and renowned actor Sandro Colarelli as the frazzled servant Fiorello. This fast-paced, vibrant work performed in English is perfect for opera lovers and new comers alike.

Venue Format
Theatre, Hall, Outdoor
Technical Rating
D
Touring Party
Eleven (5 performers, 3 musicians, 3 crew)
Considerations

Opera Queensland is seeking expressions of interest for a brand new production of Figaro, Barber of Seville. The show is planned to premiere and tour in 2015.

The show's characteristics include:

  • A high standard of casting, design, direction & music, similar to OperaQ's main stage productions.

  • A wacky, fast-paced and highly accessible production by international directory Lindy Hume drawing on vaudeville and contemporary comedy styles.

  • Sung in English, a relaxed vernacular translation in the style of a sitcom.

  • Highly flexible production adaptable to a range of performance environments including front-on, in-the-round, dinner-theatre and traverse.

The show's objectives include:

  • To create a high energy, high quality show that connects with regional audiences.

  • To produce a show that can be performed in as diverse a range of venues as possible, from a pub to a theatre.

  • To showcase OperaQ artists' diverse talents in a broad range of communities.

Since 1981 Opera Queensland, our state opera company known informally as OperaQ, has presented diverse, high quality opera and music theatre experiences to audiences across Queensland.

As articulated in our 2012 Strategic Plan, three equally valued activity streams connect OperaQ's artistically vibrant program to our broader community and business aspirations:

  • Metropolitan Brisbane is home to our core audience and the creative heart of Queensland's dynamic arts community. Here we perform grand opera on QPAC's Lyric Theatre and diverse repertoire in a range of other performance environments, including the OperaQ Studio a new hub for innovation in Brisbane's South Bank.

  • Regional Queensland is a vital part of our cultural identity. We reach audiences across our vast state through touring, community workshops, participation programs and schools residencies, and through creative partnerships with regional artists.

  • Open Stage is our community engagement program, connecting us with our communities in ways our main stage program cannot, expanding our reach to people of all ages and social backgrounds across Queensland.

OperaQ's programs and activities are benchmarked against best practice standards and considered from global, national, regional and local perspectives.

Company Website
operaq.com.au

Community Engagement

Opera Queensland is committed to community engagement in regional Queensland as demonstrated in our Project Puccini community chorus undertaking and our longstanding regional community and education programs.

Opera Queensland will seek to engage with the communities at each tour destination, adapting our engagement and activities to best suit the schedule of the tour and the needs of each location.