On August 22, 2026, at 18:00, one of the funniest and brightest classical operas — "The Barber of Seville" by Gioachino Rossini will take place on the stage of the National Opera of Ukraine. The performance lasts until 21:20 and is sung in Italian with Ukrainian subtitles. It’s the perfect choice for those who want to experience true operatic drive: you will see brilliant duets, crazy choral scenes, and incredible energy that will keep even the most critical viewer engaged. The event will be part of the flourishing 158th season of the theater, and if you are new to opera — don’t worry, the subtitles will make the plot understandable from the very first moments, and Rossini's humor and melodies will captivate you without any warnings.
About the Event
This grand classical opera buffa in three acts combines wild humor, brilliant vocal parts, and perfectly balanced musical dramaturgy. The performance is in Italian, but Ukrainian subtitles are always present on stage, allowing even those who have never been to an opera to easily understand the plot. The duration of the show is approximately 3 hours and 20 minutes (from 18:00 to 21:20), with one intermission between acts, giving you a chance to stretch and discuss emotions with friends. This is one of the most popular productions in the repertoire of the National Opera, which was revived on the Kyiv stage in 2019 and remains a favorite for thousands of viewers.
Plot and Mood
The story unfolds in Seville and is a true kaleidoscope of love, cunning, and joyful confusion: Count Almaviva wants to marry the young Rosina, but her guardian, Doctor Bartolo, plans a quick marriage with her for her dowry. To win, the Count turns to the barber Figaro, who knows how to overcome all obstacles, and together they arrange a series of comic situations, balcony notes, and sham marriages. The emotional tone of the performance is boundless humor, joy of life, and sincere love, with key scenes including the famous duet of Figaro and Almaviva, Rosina's balcony scene, and the final marriage, which concludes with a gallery of characters in a choral explosion.
- Act One: Night, the Count tries to attract Rosina's attention, Figaro helps him, Rosina drops a note, Bartolo goes to the notary.
- Act Two: Figaro arranges a sham marriage, Bartolo tries to interrupt it, but everything turns out the opposite.
- Act Three: The final marriage, all characters gather in a choral explosion, love wins.
Production
The production is directed by Anatoliy Solovyanenko, conducted by Mykola Dyadyura, and designed by Andriy Zlobin, who created a visually bright, dynamic, and modern world of opera. The orchestra of the National Opera of Ukraine, under the direction of conductor Alla Kulbaba, provides a brilliant musical performance, while choirmasters Bohdan Plish and Denys Krutko maintain the high energy of the choir. The performance features outstanding soloists such as Oleksandr Kyreev (Figaro), Dmytro Ivanchenko (Count Almaviva), Liliya Grevtsova and Olha Fomichova (Rosina), Serhiy Mahera and Serhiy Kovnir (Don Basilio), Dmytro Aheyev (Doctor Bartolo), and Angelina Shvachka (Berta).
How to Get There, Duration, and Intermissions
The theater is located in the center of Kyiv at 50 Volodymyrska Street, the nearest metro station is "Maidan Nezalezhnosti" (5–7 minutes on foot), and you can also get there from the "Universitet" station. The performance lasts 3 hours and 20 minutes, with one intermission between acts, giving you a chance to stretch and discuss emotions with friends. It’s advisable to arrive 15–20 minutes before the start to pass through the box office and take your seat without any issues, and during the intermission, you can stroll through the foyer, buy coffee, or simply discuss scenes with other viewers.
Prices and Who It's For
Tickets for "The Barber of Seville" usually start at 200 hryvnias and reach up to 1000 hryvnias, depending on the seat and area. This is the perfect event for a date, a gathering with friends, or a family evening, especially if you want to experience true operatic drive without boredom. If you are new to opera — don’t worry, Rossini's humor and melodies will captivate you without any warnings, and the subtitles will make the plot understandable from the very first moments.
Audience Tips
Arrive 15–20 minutes before the start to pass through the box office and take your seat without any issues, and during the intermission, you can stroll through the foyer, buy coffee, or simply discuss scenes with other viewers. Dress code is not mandatory, but many viewers choose an elegant style to complement the theater atmosphere. If you want to make the evening even more special — after the performance, you can visit one of the nearby restaurants on Volodymyrska to discuss emotions and share impressions.
Do you prefer a daytime show for a calm mood or an evening one with dinner after the performance?
