The Barber of Seville Student Performance
Gioachino Rossini
Rossini’s The Barber of Seville comes to life for students this February in a special Student Performance at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts!
This special presentation will feature the talented artists of the Canadian Opera Company’s Ensemble Studio. The opera has been thoughtfully trimmed to 90 minutes (plus intermission) to best suit student audiences and fit the school day.
The performance will be sung in Italian with English and French SURTITLES™ and is ideal for students in Grades 6–12.
For more information, please call Alfred Erickson, Patron Outreach Coordinator, at (416) 306-2356.
Queries may also be sent to groupsales@coc.ca.
A visually striking and pitch-perfect adaptation
Synopsis in a Minute
Young Count Almaviva is in love with Rosina, a virtual prisoner in the home of her aged guardian, Bartolo, who is plotting to marry her himself. Almaviva hires the services of Seville’s favourite barber and schemer, the irrepressible Figaro, to help him out.
Performance Information
- Performance time is approximately two hours, including one 25-minute intermission
- Sung in Italian with English and French SURTITLES™
About this production
Director Joan Font’s colourful vision evokes all the whimsy and wit of the circus, with madcap costumes and outsized sets by designer Joan Guillén. Featuring progressively ridiculous plot twists, this “thrilling” (The Globe and Mail) production is an infectious comic opera full of show-stealing characters and unforgettable musical gems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to attend the student matinee performance?
School groups, homeschool groups, and community groups are all welcome. A minimum of five tickets per order is required. Please note that the number of adults in a group cannot exceed the number of students. The performance is ideal for Grades 6–12. Babes-in-arms are not permitted in the theatre.
How do we pick up our tickets?
Tickets will be held at the box office to be picked up by a designated group leader on the day of the performance.
When are payment and final numbers due?
A 25% deposit is required to confirm your booking. Final numbers and full payment are due by January 9, 2026.
Tickets are allocated on a first come, first served basis once payment is received.
While we understand group sizes may change in advance of the performance, all sales are final as of January 9, 2026.
Who can I discuss accessible accommodations with?
The Canadian Opera Company and Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts offer numerous features to assist patrons in all aspects of attendance. Please indicate how we can best support your group when you complete an inquiry form, and our Patron Outreach Coordinator will coordinate with you.
Composed By Gioachino Rossini
Cast
Ben Wallace
Angelo Moretti
Ariana Maubach
Nick Murphy
Duncan Stenhouse
Emma Pennell
Creative
Sandra Horst
Joan Guillén
Albert Faura
Xevi Dorca
With the COC Orchestra
COC co-production with Houston Grand Opera, Opéra National de Bordeaux, and Opera Australia
Production originally made possible by The Catherine and Maxwell Meighen Foundation
The COC Orchestra is generously sponsored by The Schulich Foundation and by W. Bruce C. Bailey
This performance of The Barber of Seville is generously supported by Wendy J. Thompson
