Il Barbiere di Siviglia
Gioachino Rossini
Libretto by Cesare Sterbini
2018
Washington National Opera
Creative Team:
Conductor: Emily Senturia
Choreographer: Rosa Mercedes
Set Designer: Allen Moyer
Costume Designer: James Scott (with additional designs by Timm Burrow)
Lighting Designer: Mark McCullough
Hair & Make-Up Designer: David C. Zimmerman
Cast:
Figaro: Andrey Zhilikhovsky
Rosina: Isabel Leonard
Count Almaviva: Taylor Stayton
Dr. Bartolo: Paolo Bordogna
Don Basilio: Wei Wu
Berta: Alexandria Shiner
“...not only the greatest opera event of the year, but also possibly the greatest production of “Barber” ever.”
“Hats off to director Peter Kazaras, who in 2016 demonstrated in his WNO’s direction of Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro (also based on Beaumarchais’ trilogy) his ability to stage operas with plenty of inventive business. In that production he showed a kind of restraint; here he has egged on the entire ensemble into shameless but wonderfully appealing chaos.”
“It can only be that — despite the genre’s constraints — director Peter Kazaras’ sensibility is simply irrepressible. He wants something within hailing distance of Mel Brooks (not to mention Looney Toons) and he gets it. Don’t expect comic miracles — this is an opera, after all. But do expect to laugh more than you thought possible in the company of a full orchestra, wigs, Counts, and world-class singing.”
“Director Peter Kazaras takes a classic approach to both set and costume and hones in on interpreting the comedic opportunities available in the score through subtle character choices and elements of dance…WNO’s delightfully witty adaptation of Rossini’s time-honored classic left a smile on the face of every listener.”
Photo Credit: Scott Suchman
2011
Seattle Opera
Creative Team:
Conductor: Dean Williamson
Choreographer: Daniel Pelzig
Set Designer: Erhard Rom
Costume Designer: Candice Donnelly
Lighting Designer: Connie Yun
Cast:
Count Almaviva: Lawrence Brownlee / Nicholas Phan
Rosina: Sarah Coburn / Kate Lindsey
Figaro: José Carbó / David Adam Moore
Dr. Bartolo: Patrick Carfizzi
Don Basilio: Burak Bilgili
Berta: Sally Wolf
Fiorello: Daniel Scofield
“No such lack of thought is to be found in any Peter Kazaras production. In his work, nothing ever happens on stage that is unmotivated.
This Kazaras Barber is so much fun that a spectator might be tempted to ask: can a romp like this be compatible with Great Art? The temptation should be resisted. Great comedy may be even harder to achieve than great tragedy.”
“Peter Kazaras,... underscores the humor of the plot with all kinds of telling details (including intricate choreography for the whole cast).
Adding to the snap and precision of this show, with choreography by the imaginative Rosa Mercedes, Kazaras provided the cast with sharply executed, simultaneous maneuvers and gestures that focused the comic punch of a memorable Barber of Seville.”
Director’s Talk
Peter takes viewers inside the rehearsal process to learn about the characters and the singers.
Photo Credit: Rozarii Lynch
