Like any movie studio, the one onstage at the Jubilee for The Barber of Seville has so many interesting things to look at, it's easy to get swept up in the story set on a 1940s film set, without needing much help from the projected English supertitles over the stage.
The animated antics of the cast only add to the drama, as Figaro (baritone Phillip Addis) schemes to make sure that Almaviva (tenor James McLennan) can woo the girl (mezzo Sylvia Szadovszki) away from the overbearing producer Bartolo (bass-baritone Alexandre Sylvestre). The roles are physical ones, and the cast has simply upped the anty in dress rehearsal with priceless and expressive facial movements.
There are a lot of close shaves in this opera — don't miss your chance to purchase tickets! The Barber of Seville opens tomorrow (Saturday, Oct. 25, 8 p.m.) with additional performances on Tuesday, Oct. 28, and Thursday, Oct. 30 (both 7:30 p.m.)
If you have already purchased your tickets, thank you! Please consider forwarding this email to friends or family — this is an excellent opera for a great night out where no one dies!
