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Teatro's "Il Barbiere" an evening of fun and solid vocal delivery -- a regular family to Boston audiences.
Rossini
Il Barbiere di Siviglia
Teatro Lirico D'Europa
February 5, 2010
(Boston)
Photo: Courtesy of Teatro Lirico D'Europa.
By Paul Joseph Walkowski
OperaOnline.us
I had the opportunity to review this opera in November when it was performed by Baltimore Opera Theatre, and my review was very positive. Baltimore Opera and Teatro Lirico D’Europa share the same casts and management.
I wrote of that show that “while not a big fan of the music style and era in which Rossini composed I found myself, nonetheless, drawn into the music and story of Count Almaviva’s pursuit of the lovely Rosina, with the help of the jack-of-all trades barber of Seville, Figaro. And since every show needs a villain (sort of), this one has one too. Determined at every turn to see that this union never occurs is Rosina’s older guardian and curmudgeonly other suitor, Dr. Bartolo.
It was a delightful performance, staged nicely and lit beautifully by Giorgio Lalov. It was a show peopled with an ensemble cast of seemingly indefatigable performers and a 39-piece orchestra that brought the house to laughter and earned solid applause at final curtain.”
In its eleventh season as one of this country’s premiere touring ensembles, Teatro Lirico D’Europa has grown in stature and not disappointed, staging a production that stood the test and once again showcased magnificent vocal talent, coupled with strong staging and sets by Giorgio Lalov and steady musical accompaniment from conductor Krassimir Topolov.
This cast, as in Baltimore, was essentially the same, and performed up to its usual standards vocally and in its acting with kudos again to Hristov Sarafov, singing the role of Dr. Bartolo, and Benjamin Brecher, singing the role of Count Almaviva (aka Lindoro) for keeping it amusing without crossing the line to silliness, which can be a real killer in this opera. New to this show in Boston was baritone James Bobick, who sang the role of Figaro with vigor and a solid, even baritone delivery that easily won audience applause and bass William Powers who lived up to his reputation for a nicely honed dark, penetrating vocal color and solid delivery.
Of course, what is this show without a lovely Rosina to win our hearts and here, as in Baltimore, we heard that lovely, sweet and mellifluous voice emerge from mezzo-soprano Viara Zhelov, who brings her character to life and easily makes this part hers. Kudos, too, to mezzo-soprano Jo-Anne Herrero, who gave us a solid and even performance as Berta, the maid.
Teatro Lirico D’Europa again delivered and entertained its Boston audience, proving that even a touring company has roots and a following that looks forward to its next performance and thinks of its regular cast as “family” even though many miles from home. For an evening of solid entertainment and fun, you can’t go wrong with this Barber. It works on many and all levels.
Artistic Director and Stage Director, Giorgio Lalov
Conductor, Krassimir Topolov
Sets, Costumes, Lighting, Giorgio Lalov
