The 20th Pafos Aphrodite Festival presents Gioachino Rossini’s popular opera Il barbiere di Siviglia (The barber of Seville)

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Figaro! Figaro! Figaroooooo..!!!

One of the most astounding events in celebration of the musical and theatrical arts in the island, and in fact the largest annual event in Cyprus, is back this year ready to captivate the mind and soul of any one lucky enough to be present in Pafos for the 31st of August, 1st and 2nd of September. The

20th Pafos Aphrodite Festival is back this summer with another spectacular ode to operatic music, introducing Gioachino Rossini’s masterpiece: Il barbiere di Siviglia—The barber of Seville.

Whether you consider yourself a fan of the wonders of the opera, or not, we guarantee that if you get a chance to visit this unique lyrical festival you will be left in awe. Not only will you be surprised by the proficiency that the singers and the musicians adhere to, but the setting of the festival that overlooks the Medieval Castle in the centre of the Pafos Harbour, will only make your night even more mesmerising and magical. Beyond the historical backdrop of the festival, the opera unfolds under the starry sky just by the sea where you can easily distinguish the silhouettes of the boats and the fishermen, who are continuing their routines unbothered by the music or lights creating a somewhat surreal environment.

For the purposes of the festival the whole harbour area is transformed into a living, breathing opera house featuring a stage, an orchestra pit, seating area and even small canopies where one can indulge in a drink before the performance begins. So if you’ve been wondering this whole time whether it is suited for you to go all out for an evening at the opera the answer YES!, it may not be La Scala di Milano but Pafos Harbour is the next best thing!! 

The plot unfolds in 17th century Seville and follows the resourceful Figaro, the barber of Seville, who agrees to help Count Almaviva in winning the heart of Rosina. Doctor Bartolo, the guardian of Rosina, plans to marry Rosina himself and thus tries to prevent the couple from falling in love with each other using various tricks. In the end, however, Count Almaviva manages to trick doctor Bartolo and marry his beloved Rosina.

The barber of Seville is an opera buffa—a comic opera—in two acts with an Italian libretto (words) by Cesare Sterbini. The first performance of the opera took place on the 20th of February 1816 at the Teatro Argentina, in Rome. The libretto was based on Pierre Beaumarchais's homonymous theatrical trilogy, Le Barbier de Séville (1775). It constitutes a masterpiece of the operatic repertoire with a joyful mood, bursting with lovely melodies and arias, vividness and musical improvisations. Rossini completed the composition and orchestration of the opera in just 24 days, which is considered record time even for that era.

This year’s opera is in production by the Italian organisation C.I.A.L.M. - Teatro Lirico Italiano in association with the Ventidio Basso Ascoli Piceno Theatre and the participation of the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra.

Do not miss the chance to be a part of this oustanding opera in this singular setting and  to experience Figaro's famous aria first-hand!!!
 
For more information contact Pafos Aphrodite Festival Cyprus in Pafos at +357 26 822 218 or visit www.pafc.com.cy 

Ticket Prices: €25, €40, €50 and â‚¬70
 
There will be a simultaneous translation in Greek, English and Russian via subtitles.