The Barber of Seville

As part of the Met's ongoing efforts to inspire the next generation of opera lovers, each holiday season, the company presents abridged, English-language adaptations of classic operas—perfect for family audiences. The popular tradition began in 2006 with the now-beloved take of Mozart's The Magic Flute, featuring an English tanslation by poet and lyricist J. D. McClatchy, and expanded over the years to include versions of Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel and Massenet's Cinderella. McClatchy also provided a new translation of Rossini's The Barber of Seville, which is presented in this radio broadcast from Boxing Day 2015. Headlining the enchanting ensemble cast, baritone Elliot Madore is Figaro, the clever jack of all trades who helps bring together the young lovers Rosina and Count Almaviva, sung by mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard and tenor Taylor Stayton. Maestro Antony Walker takes the podium to conduct Rossini's effervescent bel canto comedy, which also showcases basses Valeriano Lanchas and Robert Pomakov as the scheming pair Dr. Bartolo and Don Basilio.