THE BARBER OF SEVILLE – DEUTSCHE OPER
★★★★★☆
Photo: Matthias Horn
REVIEW THE BARBER OF SEVILLE: MOTHER OF ALL COMIC OPERAS UNFOLDS ON HIGH LEVEL IN BERLIN
The mother of all comic operas unfolds in an orgie of wacky antics when The Barber of Seville sharpens his razor in a large-scale production at Deutsche Oper in Berlin.
A strong cast of singers of the usual high Berliner quality guarantees a satisfying experience in this exuberant production, which is filled with so many antics that it’s almost too much of a good thing.
Rossini’s swirling music is under the full control of the well-played orchestra that makes the Barber soar with all the high speed Italian opera executiuon, that is the opera’s trademark.
Photo: Matthias Horn
The staging by Katharina Thalbach may be from 2009 and is being performed for the 91st time this evening, but the entire ensemble is in full dynamic mode, clearly enjoying presenting this fierce version of Rossini’s classic.
In the beloved roles, the young Italian mezzo Ariana Manganello shines, giving a lovely and lively performance as Rosina opposite an exuberant Philipp Jekal as Figaro.
Almaviva is portrayed with energy, humour and vocal energy by Korean lyric tenor Kangyooon Shine Lee, while Simone Del Savio gives it his all as Bartolo.
The set is filled to the brim with crazy meta layers I haven’t seen before, including a kitschy outdoor hair salon, a beachfront with bathers, the arrival of the Count in a red sports car, an opera scene unfolding on a handcart, giggling groups of flirty nuns and Cupid figures flying around under the ceiling before striking with big hammers.
Photo: Matthias Horn
The Barber of Seville is the height of operatic frivolity, and the family-friendly production invites you to just sit back in your seat and smile at everything going on as the madcap comedy of undulates at an absurd pace with beautiful bel canto arias and fantastic ensembles, with 6-8 soloists singing into each other’s mouths in wild vocal cabals that look like chaos, but come together beautifully every time.
Inviting, inclusive, entertaining light opera at a high technical and artistic level for five stars from GOT TO SEE THIS – enjoy.
