At Dinamica Ballet, we have a tradition of naming our products after the world of dance, opera, and the performing arts—seeking names that convey elegance, strength, and personality. The name of our professional wall mirror, Figaro, pays tribute to one of the most brilliant and subversive characters in the history of the stage: Figaro, the protagonist of The Barber of Seville and The Marriage of Figaro.

Created in the 18th century by French playwright Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais, Figaro is much more than a comic figure; he represents intelligence, freedom, and the will to challenge the established order. At Dinamica Ballet, we were inspired by his strong character and stage presence to name a mirror designed to be a solid, elegant, and versatile working partner.

The journey of an extraordinary character

Figaro first appears in The Barber of Seville (1775), as a clever and determined barber who helps Count Almaviva win the heart of Rosina. Using wit and cunning, he manipulates the situation in favour of the lovers, outsmarting figures of authority.

Beaumarchais brings Figaro back in The Marriage of Figaro (1778), now a servant to Count Almaviva, preparing to marry Susanna. But his master tries to invoke the feudal “droit du seigneur,” claiming the right to seduce Susanna before the wedding. Figaro must then stand up to him. Although comedic, the play delivers a bold critique of aristocratic privilege and foreshadows the revolutionary spirit that would soon sweep across Europe.

Figaro’s story concludes in The Guilty Mother (1792), the third and lesser-known installment of the trilogy. Here, Figaro is a mature man still in service to the same family—now shaped by the passage of time and past mistakes. With a more serious and melancholic tone, the play closes the narrative arc, portraying a Figaro who, while still sharp, has evolved with the turbulent times of the Revolution.

From stage to score: Mozart, Rossini and opera as a voice for change

Beaumarchais’ plays transitioned from the stage to the grand operatic repertoire. In 1786, The Marriage of Figaro was adapted by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart with libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte. Though the original play was banned in Vienna for its political content, Da Ponte managed to tone down the most controversial elements to pass imperial censorship. Still, the opera preserved the subversive spirit of the original play, defending intelligence, dignity, and liberty against the privileges of class. Mozart turned this story into one of his greatest masterpieces, using music to add emotional depth to the characters and amplify its humanist message. The opera was, in itself, a quiet revolution—proof that art can challenge the status quo with humour, beauty, and ingenuity.

Three decades later, in 1816, composer Gioachino Rossini premiered his version of The Barber of Seville, based on Beaumarchais’ first play. It can be seen as a prequel to Mozart’s opera, written thirty years earlier. This two-act opera buffa captures a young, exuberant Figaro brimming with energy. His famous aria “Largo al factotum” became one of the most charismatic and iconic musical portrayals in operatic history. If Mozart introduced us to a mature Figaro confronting power, Rossini gave us a vibrant image of the character in full bloom.

A tribute to stage and movement

With the Figaro mirror, we pay homage to that spirit: to the talent working behind the scenes to make great performances possible, to the intelligence that solves and transforms, and to the beauty of movement honed with discipline. A good mirror doesn’t just reflect the body—it reflects attitude, intention, and the will to grow. Just like Figaro, who never gives up and always finds a way forward.

In the world of fitness, emerging disciplines seek to create a comprehensive and effective experience to strengthen the body and take care of health. One of these disciplines is barre, which has been gaining popularity in recent years. Combining elements from ballet, Pilates and yoga through isometric exercises, barre has become an interesting option for those looking to tone the body, work on flexibility and improve body posture. 

 Origins and foundations 

 Barre, as we know it today, had its beginnings in the ’50s, when Lotte Berk, a German dancer, developed a training method that combined ballet with physical rehabilitation exercises. This approach evolved over time, incorporating elements of Pilates and yoga, eventually giving rise to contemporary barre. 

The term barre refers to the ballet barre used as the main piece of workout equipment during training sessions. The ballet barre provides support for balance while performing targeted movements designed to work specific muscle groups in a precise and controlled manner. 

 Benefits of barre

One of the winning points of barre is its ability to offer a full body toning workout. Isometric exercises, characterized by sustained muscle contraction, are essential in this modality and contribute to strengthening and defining the body. Barre is also effective in improving flexibility and physical endurance. Flowing, controlled movements, combined with conscious breathing, help lengthen the muscles and improve the range of motion of the joints. This not only benefits physical performance, but also reduces the risk of injury and improves body posture. 

 Core principles of barre 

 Barre is based on a series of fundamental principles that guide the practice and guarantee effective and safe results: 

1. Control and precision: Every movement in the barre is performed with control and precision, focusing on quality over quantity. This ensures that you work out optimally and minimize the risk of injury.
2. Range and stability: Barre exercises seek to achieve a balance between range of motion and stability. This involves working on both strength and flexibility in a balanced way to improve body functionality. 
3. Mind-body connection: As in yoga, barre emphasizes the mind-body connection through conscious breathing and the precise execution of each movement, promoting relaxation and mental well-being.
4. Variation and progression: Although barre is based on specific movements, it includes such a big range of exercises and variations that allows us to adapt the practice to different skill and fitness levels. Additionally, gradual progression is essential to keep on challenging the body and achieve long-lasting results. 

 Barre is a unique and effective fitness discipline that combines elements of ballet, Pilates and yoga to offer a complete workout that tones the body, improves flexibility and physical resistance and promotes healthy body posture. If you are looking for a fun and challenging way to stay in shape, barre could be the perfect option for you! In our online shop you can find the perfect wall mounted or freestanding ballet barres for practicing this discipline.