'Barber of Seville' closes Syracuse Opera season on a high note (Review)

Behind the scenes during The Barber of Seville Take a look behind the scenes during the final dress rehearsal of The Barber of Seville: video by Kevin Rivoli


Syracuse Opera closed its 40th season with the classic Rossini opera "The Barber of Seville," a classic comic opera with music that is well known to all. The work features a somewhat ridiculous plot with a "love triangle" between a doctor, his much younger ward and a count disguised as an "average Joe." When the doctor decides to marry his ward mayhem ensues that could be taken from the Bugs Bunny cartoons that have featured this music for years.

The rather small cast was perfectly suited for their roles in this work. Fine performances were given by all seven of the sung roles as well as the all male chorus (featuring many longtime veterans) and supernumerary Michael Connor who provided grand comic relief and an "Astaire-lite" dance break reminiscent of "Singing in the Rain."

Javier Abreu's clear high tenor served the role of Almaviva/Lindoro well, but it was in the comic opening of act two that he shined brightest as the phony singing teacher "Don Alfonso" who seemed to be an homage to the coroner from the "Wizard of Oz." Steven Condy was an exact fit as the comic tyrant Don Bartolo. His clear voice, comic timing and excellent physical reactions were perfect. The title role was well played by baritone, Luis Alejandro Orozco. His was a lanky, lithe barber with a clear strong voice and excellent presence. Soprano, Lindsay Russell shined as the coquettish Rosina. Her light high soprano soared effortlessly throughout the opera, especially in her act two aria from the fictional opera "The Useless Precaution." In addition to these principals, excellent performances were given by Angky Budiardjono, Kathleen Roland-Silverstein, and Marc Webster.

The production was bolstered by an excellent orchestra under the direction of Douglas Kinney Frost, beautiful staging by Jeffrey Buchman, and some of the best choreography in recent Syracuse Opera memory by Rossa Mercedes. "Barber" contained a great deal of smart physical humor, some of which was unfortunately lost due to overly dark lighting, especially at the end of act one. The set at the top of the show left much to be desired but in each successive scene became more lush and befitting of the lovely evening the crowd at the Crouse Hinds spent in Seville.

In addition to the excellent performance, Syracuse Opera announced its 2015-16 season which will include the Syracuse premiere of Tom Cipullo's "Glory Denied," Puccini's "La Boheme" and Bernstein's "West Side Story." These classics new and old will truly offer something for everyone as the company launches its 41st year.

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