Bradford to premiere Yorkshire version of The Barber of Seville

Playwright Ian McMillan, pictured left with baritone Oscar Castellino, says The Barber of Seville is "made for tyke talk"

A world premiere of The Barber of Seville is being performed in Bradford later in Yorkshire dialect.

Playwright Ian McMillan's new version of Gioachino Rossini's tale of love and disguise will be performed at St George's Hall.

The opera follows Count Almaviva as he lusts after Rosina, enlisting barber Figaro to help woo her.

Mr McMillan said it was "made for the poetic tones of the sublime tyke talk".

Performed in a concert format, the adaptation will open the inaugural Bradford Opera Festival.

Baritone Oscar Castellino as 'fixer' Figaro

Director Alex Chisholm said it was "Yorkshire to the core", adding: "It has love, marriage, class, rebellion, and some great tunes.

"Alongside new work popping up all over Bradford, and opportunities to get involved, The Barber of Seville really has something for everyone."

The production features an accomplished cast, including international baritone Oscar Castellino as Figaro, mezzo-soprano Felicity Buckland as Rosina and Shipley tenor Joseph Doody as Count Almaviva.

Music will be provided by the Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra and Bradford Festival Choral Society.The Barber of Seville premièred in 1816 in Rome and is considered one of Italian composer Rossini's most popular works.