Opera Rara

🐶 We're delighted to announce that Alistair McGowan will join the cast of Offenbach's Barkouf as Narrator

A riotous political satire where a dog is appointed governor, Barkouf is packed with dazzling music, sharp wit and unexpected heart. Presented by Opera Rara and the Hallé, this long-forgotten operatic gem receives its UK premiere in concert at The Bridgewater Hall on Sunday 4 October

"I am delighted to be working with such quality people and performers and love the fact that
we will be bringing a very rarely seen work back to life. That’s the ethos of Opera Rara’s
work and I’m delighted to be part of this rediscovery!"
— Alistair McGowan

The Hallé The Bridgewater Hall English National Opera Off The Kerb

🎟️ Tickets are on sale now:
https://ow.ly/utRT50ZnpF0

"As an encore I've chosen a little song called 'Pueblito, mi pueblo' - a poem by Francisco Silva y Valdés set to music by the wonderful Carlos Guastavino, who is perhaps the most incredible composer that Argentina has given to the world of art song. It's a deep song about the land we left and to which we'll never go back, but one which we dream about it. It's not really a place in the world but for example a moment in time, perhaps a memory from when we were kids and we shared with the whole family a beautiful dinner... for me, it reminds me of the time when I used to sing this song with my brother."

- Germán's reflections on Guastavino's 'Pueblito, mi pueblo' which he sang at Opera Rara's 55th season launch with friend and colleague Aigul Akhmetshina, and with Anna Tilbrook at the piano.

The full concert recorded in October 2025 at Temple Music Foundation will be streamed on Opera Rara and Germán's YouTube channel this weekend, premiering at 1pm BST/2pm CET on Friday 10 July.

You can reserve a free ticket to receive a reminder before the concert streams: https://ow.ly/pR3j50Zk4JA