Under the artistic direction of Italian choreographer Monica Casadei, the famous dance company Artemis Danza will treat Hanoian audiences to the ballet "The Barber of Seville" (in Italian, Il Barbiere di Siviglia) in a completely new and creative style.

Italian Il Barbiere di Siviglia is on Hanoi's stage tonight. Photo: Artemis Danza Dance Company

The story of "The Barber of Seville" centers on Rosina. Count Almaviva is in love with her, and she returns his affection, but her guardian Bartolo wants to marry her and get his hands on her large dowry. After a series of comic complications, the libretto brings the lovers together with the help of the clever Figaro.

About 200 years since its creation, the ballet has consistently topped the list of the world's most popular ballets.

First performed in 1815, "The Barber of Seville" is said to have been a "pain" for Italian composer Gioachino Rossini, as the great Italian composer received numerous mockeries and negative reactions from the audience.

Artists from the Italian dance company Artemis Danza rehearse the ballet.

But soon after, the ballet became famous as it was staged for entertainment. The ballet isn't set in a negative context, such as illness, death, or love tragedy, but brings to the audience a joyful and relaxed atmosphere, where they are free to laugh and sing along with the humorous barber named Figaro.

In particular, instead of entertaining the audience with traditional ballet rhythms, the artists of the Italian Artemis Danza Dance Company chose to perform the classical ballet with a futuristic feel in a completely different style, defined by choreographer Monica as an "action ballet."

Il Barbiere di Siviglia will also be performed at the Hai Phong Opera House on October 17.

The performance is part of a series of cultural activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Italy and Vietnam this year.