The Barber of Seville
Gioachino Rossini
REVIEWS
“Rossini’s comic masterpiece has earned its 202-year-old laugh-out-loud rep as a masterpiece. Opera Santa Barbara’s production last weekend was a brilliant and breezy reminder that great art is timeless – in the right hands. Accolades to Josh Shaw (Director), Ken MacDonald (Sets), Dana Osborne (Costumes) and Helena Kuukka (Lighting) for creating a kaleidoscopically colorful, playfully avant-garde, and downright hilarious production. Josh Shaw’s directing, never over the top, yet ever so close, brought life and laughter to the action – all carefully scripted for laughs without slumming in tawdry shtick. There was superb acting and singing by Andrew Bidlack, a powerful Almaviva; Alexander Elliott. whose Figaro was both savvy and likable; and mezzo-soprano Cassandra Zoé Velasco, an empathetic and sylvan-voiced Rosina. Special thanks to the superb orchestra and nuanced continuo from Kyle Naig. Opera Santa Barbara’s production once again unleashed the brilliance of Rossini.”
– Daniel Kepl /Santa Barbara Voice Magazine
“Opera Santa Barbara’s production of The Barber of Seville was definitely on the cutting edge. It’s easy to see why it’s one of the world’s most enduring operas with a talented cast, great sets, and a capable orchestra under Kostis Protopapas. Alexander Elliott was perfect for the role of conniving crimper Figaro, as were Cassandra Zoé Velasco and Andrew Bidlack as Rosina and Almaviva. Josh Shaw’s direction was spot on; the production design and colorful costumes worked perfectly. It was a glorious night at the opera that was clearly appreciated by the delighted audience.”
– Richard Mineards / Montecito Journal
“Opera Santa Barbara’s Barber of Seville was thoroughly amusing from overture to final bow. Stage director Josh Shaw added a great deal of physical comedy. The singing was simply gorgeous. Andrew Bidlack made Almaviva’s “Ecco ridente in cielo” a triumphant vocal showpiece. His substitute music teacher performed in drag as “Donna Alonsa” had the audience shrieking with laughter. Baritone Alexander Elliott sang Figaro with whirlwind patter and the kind of instinctive timing that assures laughs throughout the hall. Cassandra Zoé Velasco was a charming Rosina with a wide, beautifully colored vocal range. Kostis Protopapas led the orchestra with the ever increasing tempi and dynamics Rossini designed to keep audiences on the edges of their seats for most of the evening. No wonder at the end of this performance the applause sounded like a second storm.”
– Maria Nockin / Broadway World
“Opera Santa Barbara’s sparkling production of The Barber of Seville emphasized outrageous behavior and disguises. Alexander Elliott cut an enviable Figaro, Cassandra Zoé Velasco’s Rosina glowed from within, and Andrew Bidlack positively threw out the book as a hell-raising, cross-dressing Count Almaviva. Under the baton of maestro Kostis Protopapas, the orchestra released the playful joy of an irrepressible score.”
– Charles Donelan / Santa Barbara Independent
GALLERY
Photos by David Bazemore