Crescendo co. sharpens ‘Barber of Seville’ opera adaptation in Surrey
Published 3:30 pm Friday, June 12, 2026
A family-friendly celebration of The Barber of Seville comes to Surrey Arts Centre’s Studio Theatre this week.
With Hey! Figaro!, Crescendo Operatic Society (COS) stages Gioachino Rossini’s beloved comic opera four times June 19-21, Friday through Sunday.
The “COS style” show is designed to welcome both seasoned opera lovers and first-time attendees in a fresh and accessible adaptation staged at the Bear Creek Park theatre.
“This production captures everything we love about opera — great music, larger-than-life characters, and plenty of laughter — while making it easy for everyone to follow and enjoy,” said Dolores Scott, artistic director of Surrey-based Crescendo.
Presented in English and performed by a cast of emerging and experienced singers from across the Lower Mainland, Hey! Figaro! tells the story of the clever barber Figaro as he helps Count Almaviva outsmart the scheming Dr. Bartolo and win the heart of the spirited Rosina.
Featuring memorable music directed by Natan Bádue, the production replaces traditional recitative with spoken dialogue and child narrators who guide audiences through the story, stage-directed by Robin Hahn and Nancy Hasiuk-Lay.
Show times are 7 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. In line with the company’s mandate of “opera for all,” a relaxed performance is done Saturday afternoon.
Get tickets on crescendooperatic.org, purchase.surrey.ca or call Surrey Arts Centre box office, 604-501-5580 ($30 for adults, $25 students/seniors).
Crescendo Operatic Society is dedicated to creating “high-quality, accessible opera experiences while providing performance and learning opportunities for singers of all ages, backgrounds, and experience levels. Through mentorship, community engagement, and inclusive programming, COS continues to build vibrant new audiences for opera throughout Surrey and the Fraser Valley.”