Rossini's Barber of Seville: On a Wig and a Prayer - a podcast by WQXR & The Metropolitan Opera

Chances are, you know the overture toThe Barber of Seville(maybe from Bugs Bunny?!) but Gioachino Rossini’s most famous opera is more than a comedic romp. Embedded in the topsy-turvy tale of young love and silly disguises, there is a story of forced marriage and a woman’s determination to live a life of her choosing. 

We meet the heroine Rosina for the first time in the aria “Una voce poco fa,” in which she declares that while she may seem sweet and innocent, she is really not someone to be messed with. Host Rhiannon Giddens and her guests explore the courage it takes to live life on your own terms and the way this almost absurd story pulled from a centuries-old novel still resonates today. You’ll hear how one guest has her own escape-from-a-forced-marriage story that uncannily matches Rosina’s.

The Guests:

SopranoPretty Yendefirst sang the role of Rosina in Norway in 2014, and it’s since become one of her favorite roles. She loves playing Rosina becausethe character is fun, witty, and unlike so many operatic heroines, she gets to hit all the high notesandlive happily ever after.

ConductorJames Conlonis Music Director of the Los Angeles Opera. He first heardThe Barber of Sevillewhen he was 11 years old and fell in love on the spot. Later that summer, he made his debut as director, producer, and Count Almaviva in his friend’s garage, with a very appreciative audience lined up in the driveway.

ActivistJasvinder Sangherais a survivor of forced marriage. She has spent thelast four decades advocating for women, children, and men silenced by domestic abuse and forced marriages, and founded the award-winning charityKarma Nirvanain 1993. 

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