The Barber of Seville (Il Barbiere Di Siviglia)

Synopsis

Il barbiere di Siviglia. A young English aristocrat arrives in Seville to woo the lovely Rosina. However, she is being pursued by an unscrupulous older man, Bartolo and it is only with the ingenious help of the quick thinking barber, Figaro, that the situation is rescued.

Our Review:

Anne Morley-Priestman - 10 April 2012

I’ve lost count of the number of different productions – let alone casts – which I’ve seen in Rossini’s The Barber of Seville, but I can’t recall a single one in which Dr Bartolo comes over as the main character. However, that’s the impression left by Andrew Slater’s imposingly sung and acted physician in Thomas Guthrie’s new production for English Touring Opera.

Imagine Shaw’s trio of medicos from The Doctor’s Dilmma lethally crossed with Sir Lancelot Spratt from Doctor in the House, and you have an idea of this particular sawbones (bedside manner is not his strong point). His “Quando mi sei vicina” deliberately sung under the note is a particular delight but so is his stage presence and strong, well-enunicated bass.

Then there’s Don Basilio, usually the leading dark voice. Guthrie has un-frocked him while Alan Fairs contributes fine singing but no re...

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Latest User Review

Lance - 11 April 2012:

Wonderful singing and acting by Kitty Whately. Gorgeous serenading by Nicholas Sharratt. Convincing scheming by Grant Doyle. Perfect comedy timing by Andrew Slater....

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