The Barber of Seville

Postcard Review by Caroline Russell-King

Show – The Barber of Seville

Playwright/s/Composer/s – Music by Gioachino Rossini; Words by Cesare Sterbini based on Pierre Beaumarchais’s comedy The Barber of Saville in 1775.

Production Company/Theatre space – Calgary Opera / Jubilee Auditorium.

Length – 2 Acts (2 hours 50 minutes including one intermission.)

Genre – comic opera

Premise – A barber helps a besotted count woo a woman whose guardian is planning on marrying her to secure her fortune.

Why this play? Why now? – Comic operas are a nice break from the usual tragedies.

Curiosities – Was I the only one looking forward to the aesthetic that was in the marketing? So many ladders and one of Calgary’s preeminent stilt walker artists as a supernumerary and no theatrics?

Notable Moment – “Elton John”

Notable writing – This opera buffa is the pinnacle of all comic operas. It was first performed at The Teatro Argentina in Rome in 1816 – two hundred and ten years later it is still being done, and it will be still going strong in 2236.

Notable performances – This is world class talent. Grisha Martirosyan is the perfect Figaro; I wanted to spend more time with him (leave them wanting more). John Tessier as Conte Almaviva romancing Sipozaki Molteno’s Rosina make a dynamite duo. The whole ensemble coalesces to deliver an entertaining evening.

Notable design/Production – Scott Reid gave us a simple and functional two-level set with period gothic arches. This complemented the minimal but perfectly period furniture pieces. Every woman (and some men) coveted Lady Rosina’s fantasia of lace Lady Rosina had on the pink gown worn by Molteno, designed by Heather Moore. One thing opera does really well is deliver fantastically lavishly large productions.

Notable direction – Conductor Daniela Musca makes magic with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. Elizabeth Stepkoski Tarhan’s debut at Calgary Opera is a success. She gave us some fabulous large laughs; through her clever schtick, we have easter eggs of modern references.

One reason to see this show – (I’m sure it’s been punned before but) This is a shear delight.