Review: Rossini's THE BARBER OF SEVILLE Presented by LA Opera as Second Part of Figaro Trilogy

LA Opera presents Rossini's THE BARBER OF SEVILLE as the midpoint of its 2015 Figaro Trilogy and a key part of its three-month Figaro Unbound exploration. LA Opera Music Director James Conlon conducts an international roster of stars including Russian baritone Rodion Pogossov as the wily barber Figaro who pleases women with a comb by day and a guitar at night, American mezzo-soprano Elizabeth DeShong making her company debut as Rosina, American tenor René Barbera as lovesick Count Almaviva, Italian baritone Alessandro Corbelli sings the role of Doctor Bartolo in the first five performances, with bass-baritone Philip Cokorinos appearing in that role on March 22. Icelandic bass Kristinn Sigmundsson performs the role of Don Basilio.

Trevore Ross stages this splendid revival of a production originally created by Spanish director Emilio Sagi for the Teatro Real in Madrid. Thanks to his stellar ensemble who do the lion's share of changing the sets while playing multiple roles, the opera is just as lovely to watch as it is to hear with the entire cast harmonizing spectacularly and playing their parts for all the laughs they can muster. The opera is performed in Italian with simultaneous English translations projected over the stage.

Fans of soap operas will certainly recognize the love triangle plot at the center of the opera with the lovely Rosina being pursued by both Count Almaviva and her benefactor, the older Doctor Bartolo. To assist in his attempt to win his lady love, the Count enlists the smooth and suave womanizer and busy barber Figaro. The two arrange to sneak into her home disguising the Count as her new music teacher Don Basilio, which seems to be going well until the real Don Basilio shows up for the lesson. I especially enjoyed the humor created by Alessandro Corbelli when the good Doctor Bartolo begins snoring during Rosina's lovely recital, gloriously performed by Elizabeth DeShong sitting atop a white piano.

Scenery designer Llorenç Corbella is to be commended for transforming the empty stage at the beginning into the main street of Seville. Choreographed by Nuria Castejón, the cast members move the gigantic set pieces as if performing a grand ballet making it difficult to not watch all their intricate movements as set magic happens for every new locale.

THE BARBER OF SEVILLE will have six performances from February 28 through March 22, 2015, at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion (135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles CA 90012) as part of LA Opera's 2015 Figaro Trilogy-three operas based on late 18th-century stage comedies by Pierre Beaumarchais-which begins with The Ghosts of Versailles by John Corigliano (February 7 through March 1) and will continue with The Marriage of Figaro by Mozart (March 21 through April 12).

Performance Dates and Times
Performances continue at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, located at 135 North Grand Avenue, Los Angeles CA 90012.
• Saturday, March 14, 2015, at 7:30pm
• Thursday, March 19, 2015, at 7:30pm
• Sunday, March 22, 2015, at 2:00pm

Tickets
Tickets start at $17 and can be purchased in person at the LA Opera Box Office at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, by phone at 213.972.8001 or online at www.LAOpera.org. For disability access, call 213.972.0777 or email LAOpera@LAOpera.org.

About Figaro Unbound
THE BARBER OF SEVILLE is a highlight of Figaro Unbound: Culture, Power and Revolution at Play. This three-month, citywide exploration of the revolutionary spirit, featuring a variety of programming for all ages, investigates the ongoing relevance of Figaro and his legacy. The next production is The Marriage of Figaro by Mozart from March 21 through April 12.

For a complete listing of events, please visit LAOpera.org/FigaroUnbound.

Photos by Craig T. Mathew / LA Opera

Jonathan Michie (far right) as Fiorello

Rodion Pogossov, at center, as Figaro.

Rodion Pogossov as Figaro and Elizabeth DeShong as Rosina.

Left to right: Elizabeth DeShong (Rosina), Rene Barbera (Count Almaviva), Rodion Pogossov (Figaro) and Alessandro Corbelli (Doctor Bartolo).

Rene Barbera (center) as Count Almaviva.

The spectacular Finale