The Barber of Seville (Il Barbiere di Siviglia) at Opéra Bastille

Directed by Damiano Michieletto
The Barber of Seville by Gioacchino Rossini at Opéra Bastille in Paris in 2024, Opera
Opéra Bastille

Until July 13, 2025

Other languages with surtitles
The Barber of Seville by Gioacchino Rossini at Opéra Bastille in Paris in 2024, Opera
The Barber of Seville (Il Barbiere di Siviglia) at Opéra Bastille
Book now From 182€/person

Location

Opéra Bastille
Place de la Bastille, 75012 Paris
Capacity 2700 seats

Duration

3 h 15 min

With intermission


Details

Opera

For all audiences

In Italian with French and English surtitles


HIGHLIGHTS: THE BARBER OF SEVILLE

Comedy, a hint of burlesque, and a touch of commedia dell’arte effervesce in this radiant opera buffa… Here is a veritable musical celebration!

 

The Opéra Bastille invites you to discover The Barber of Seville (Il Barbiere di Siviglia): an opera buffa in two acts, based on the comedy of the same name (also known as the ‘Useless Precaution’) by Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais.

 

Smiles all-round are guaranteed after having watched this laugh-out-loud comedy that has stood the test of time. Colourful characters and hilariously absurd characters create a comic atmosphere like no other — Figaro, with his quick wit and sense of repartee, constitutes the linchpin of the action, juggling intrigue and disguise with ease. The vain and distrustful Dr Bartolo is the perfect comic antagonist, constantly fooled by Almaviva's and Figaro's schemes. Meanwhile, Rosina brings a touch of vivacity and intelligence to this whimsical tale, skilfully playing the game to achieve her own amorous goals.

 

With regards to the score, there’s a lot to love. Rossini's music is inseparable from the comic aspect of the opera: playful arias, virtuoso ensembles, and lively rhythms play their own roles in the ludic abandon of the plot. Ensembles, such as the famous quintet “Buona sera, mio signore” in which each character pursues his or her own goals, perfectly illustrate the humour and liveliness of this classically humorous opera. Ultimately, the uniqueness of Rossini's music lies in its ability to reflect the emotions and characters with awe-inspiring accuracy.

 

An excellent roster of new talents arrive on the stage of the Opéra Bastille to pay tribute to this iconic opera buffa. We can't wait to see Levy Sekgapane as the Count of Almaviva, Carlo Lepore as Bartolo, Luca Pisaroni as Basilio, Mattia Olivieri as Figaro, and Isabel Leonard or Aigul Akhmetshina, who will both be embodying Rosina on separate dates.

 

Enjoy the lighter side of life with this rip-roaring opera buffa!

 

 

See details for our premium option below!

PREMIUM OPTION AND EXPERIENCE at Opéra Bastille

Looking for more than a standard ticket to the show? To make your experience an unforgettable one, you will be able to choose this following upgraded offer at the time of booking:

 

Champagne + Programme + Exclusive Access to Salon Berlioz + Show
Indulge in the premium opera experience! Elevate your evening with our exclusive package, available even after standard ticket sales have closed. With this premium option, relish a glass of champagne, receive a show programme, and enjoy privileged access to the Opéra Bastille's Salon Berlioz — an intimate space reserved for our premium guests.

 

Please note, this special package is exclusively offered through the Theatre in Paris box office, thanks to our official partnership with the Friends of Paris Opera Association. Don't miss the chance to make your opera night truly exceptional.

SYNOPSIS OF THE BARBER OF SEVILLE

Summer this 2025 promises to be light and cheerful at the Opéra Bastille with the truculent Barber of Seville (Il Barbiere di Siviglia) — a work adapted from a comedy by Gioacchino Rossini.

 

The story takes place in Seville, where the young Count Almaviva falls in love with Rosina, an attractive young girl in the care of her guardian, Dr Bartolo. Almaviva hires Figaro, the town barber and an unsung genius, to help him woo Rosina. Figaro concocts a plan to introduce Almaviva to meet Rosina by posing as a poor student called Lindoro. However, despite Dr Bartolo's efforts to keep Rosina under his control, she quickly falls in love with Lindoro, effecting a chain sequence of successive hilarity, exacerbated by exaggerated schemes, over-the-top disguises, and the all-encompassing pursuit of love.

 

A series of disguises, tricks, and misunderstandings make this play the catastrophic comedy that it is. Almaviva cycles through a procession of false identities — namely, a soldier and a music teacher — to win Rosina's heart. Whether he is successful or not in his endeavour is for you to discover…

 

Accompanying the action, Rossini's music is lively, playful, and full of energy, perfectly reflecting the comic atmosphere of the plot. Famous arias such as ‘Largo al Factotum’ and ‘Una voce poco fa’ are exemplary offerings of Rossini's musical virtuosity and his talent for creating memorable melodies.

 

Whether you bring the whole family, a group of friends, or decide to take on this side-splitting show solo, laughter is guaranteed for all generations. Discover a comedy whose charm has persisted for over a century!

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Opéra Bastille

Place de la Bastille, 75012 Paris

History and Fun Facts about the Opéra Bastille

 

Designed by Uruguayan architect Carlos Ott, the building was commissioned by French President François Mitterrand and inaugurated in 1989. For years, many had lamented the lack of a modern venue in Paris capable of welcoming modern concerts and performances with different acoustic approaches, and the flexibility that a modulable venue lends. A movement started in the 1960s called for a larger new venue in Paris that would appeal to the masses, a modern compliment to the elaborate Palais Garnier. Just over 100 years after the inauguration of the Palais Garnier, the demands finally won over the newly-elected President Mitterrand, who supported the project as the headliner among many modern works launched during his term. Selecting the popular Bastille neighbourhood for its ease of accessibility from Paris and the surrounding areas, the old Bastille Train Station was destroyed to make way for the construction of the new venue. The building was completed just in time for the bicentenary of the French Revolution.  

 

The venue has undergone many changes in direction resulting from varying political affiliations, and has undergone major renovations since its construction to repair and to soundproof the entire structure. Unlike other auditorium designs, each and every seat at the Opéra Bastille guarantees an unrestricted view of the stage. With its white glass ceiling, crisp gray compliments, and black seating adorned with rich oak, the venue is an ode to modernity and simplistic design. From the exterior, made of blue granite from Brittany and blocks of glass, light is reflected from every corner of this angular venue.

 

Fast facts
Capacity: 2,745
Handicap Accessible: Yes – in order to guarantee access to specific locations, we ask that you make your reservation at least 15 days before the performance.
Air conditioning: Yes
Heating: Yes
Coat Check: Yes (free service)

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FAQ

How do I get to Opéra Bastille in the 12th arrondissement of Paris ?

The Opéra Bastille is accessible by:
Metro: Line 1 (station Bastille), line 5 (station Bastille), line 8 (station Bastille)
RER: Line A (station Gare de Lyon)
Address: 120 rue de Lyon, 75012 Paris
In case of difficulty, our hotline can be reached during our business hours. Please see the footer of this page for our contact details.

What do I do when I get to Opéra Bastille?

We invite you to arrive 45 minutes before the beginning of The Barber of Seville, and present your voucher at the front desk. Opéra Bastille’s English-speaking staff members will guide you to your seats.
The concert hall’s doors close 15 minutes after the start of the performance and reopen at intermission if the performance includes one.
If you arrive within 15 minutes after the start of the performance, you will not be allowed to enter the opera house and will be directed to an area with a television where you can watch the first part of the show. You will be able to return to your seats during the intermission if the performance includes one.

How long does the opera, The Barber of Seville, last?

The opera The Barber of Seville at Opéra Bastille lasts approximately 3 hours and 15 minutes, with intermission.

How long does the opera, The Barber of Seville, last?

The opera The Barber of Seville at Opéra Bastille lasts approximately 3 hours and 15 minutes, with intermission.

Is The Barber of Seville for an international audience or French speakers?

Both! The Opéra Bastille has been welcoming audiences from all over the world for many years. The opera, The Barber of Seville, is sung in its original Italian version. Surtitles are provided in both French and English so that international audiences can appreciate this opera in this incredible Parisian venue.

Where will I be seated, and will I see the surtitles* properly?

At Opéra Bastille, each category provides a comfortable view of the surtitles. The surtitles are projected above and on the sides of the stage. Our Premium tickets offer the best view of the stage and surtitles.
*Surtitles (also called supertitles) are the theatre equivalent of subtitles. That’s because in French “sur” means “above”.

Is there a dress code at Opéra Bastille?

There is no specific dress code at Opéra Bastille, but proper attire is appreciated. Feel free to dress to impress and reflect the fabulous contemporary architecture at Opéra Bastille!

Can I choose my seat when booking?

No, unfortunately it is not possible to choose your seat when booking for The Barber of Seville. However, you can choose the category and we will allocate you the best seats in the chosen category!
Please note that tickets of the same category that are booked during the same purchase session, in the same booking order on our website are always assigned side by side. To be sure of this, make sure all of your tickets are in the same category and are included in your shopping cart at the time of purchase.
If there are no available adjacent seating arrangements, our customer service team will contact you before the booking is confirmed.

 

At the Paris Opera, the seats are assigned in odd numbers or even numbers. Therefore, if your tickets are consecutive odd numbers or even numbers (For example: 1, 3, 5,...), they will be adjacent.

 

You can find the seating plan in the theatre’s "photo" section on this page.

What is included with my premium ticket at Opéra Bastille?

The Premium tickets are our most exclusive package and include seating in category Optima, the best category in the house, a programme of the show, a glass of champagne, and exclusive access to the magnificent Salon Berlioz.

 

Your programme: At the Opéra Bastille, you may pick your programme in the main shop as well as at the programme stands located at the main entrance, on the 2nd and 4th floors.
Your glass of champagne: You can choose to enjoy your glass of champagne before the performance or during intermission. Champagne will be available at public bars or in the exclusive Salon Berlioz. The Salon is located on the 1st floor, at the right of the entrance to the Opéra Bastille. It is accessible by elevator or by stairs.

I bought premium tickets for The Barber of Seville and I haven’t received them yet. Is this normal?

Yes, it’s completely normal! As the premium tickets for The Barber of Seville include exclusive add-ons, your order will first be created as a pre-booking so the Paris Opera can assign your seats and prepare your exclusive package.
You may see a pre-charge on your card but you can rest assured that we will not charge your card until the booking is validated by the Paris Opera. After the tickets are confirmed, you will receive your tickets by email.
Given the large number of requests the Paris Opera has to manage, this process usually takes two business days but can take up to six days maximum. After six days if your order has not been validated, it will be cancelled, the pre-charge will disappear, and you will not be charged.