Show: The Barber of Seville
Society: Mayflower Theatre
Venue: Mayflower Theatre. 22-26 Commercial Road, Southampton, Hampshire SO15 1GE
Credits: Gioachino Rossini. Produced and performed by the Welsh National Opera
Type: Sardines
Author: Meri Mackney
Performance Date: 06/11/2021
The Barber of Seville
Meri Mackney | 07 Nov 2021 13:53pm
The audience laughed and applauded this jolly production of Rossini’s opera, sung in English and using the witty translation by Robert David Macdonald. In marked contrast to the futuristic Madame Butterfly, which is the WNOs alternate production this season, this is a more traditional offering, directed by Giles Havergal, which WNO have been including in their repertoire since the mid-eighties. The staging presents a play within a play, reflecting the joint origins of the piece. The centrepiece of the setting is a stage on three levels, some of the rear structure being visible, which has apparently been set up in a town square for a production of The Barber of Seville. The main characters enact the central story, with townsfolk (the chorus) watching and stepping in to play minor roles. In homage to the original opera by Beaumarchais, the ‘players’ are dressed in sumptuous eighteenth-century costume, while the townsfolk are dressed in early nineteenth-century costume, Rossini’s own era. This works well in allowing the characters to acknowledge the applause for the solos, although it does somewhat distance the audience from the action by placing them firmly outside the production. Nevertheless, the story charms, with youth and wit winning through and age and greed being successfully thwarted.
I loved the opening, where the chorus sit and watch the orchestra as they play the overture. This enables the superb WNO orchestra to be fully acknowledged from the start, from the stage as well as the audience. It is worth noting that some members of the orchestra and some members of the chorus have been with WNO for over twenty years. A happy company.
Once the piece is underway, your attention and admiration are captured by the virtuosity of the singing and each song receives its just reward from the rapturous applause. Although the opera is named for Figaro (a cheekily entertaining Nicholas Lester), it really belongs to Count Almaviva (engagingly played by Nico Darmanin) and Rosina (an enchanting and humorous Heather Lowe). Each principal really owns their character, whilst stepping out of them to acknowledge the applause. Heather Lowe moved as well as sang gracefully and it comes as no surprise to find she is also a dancer.
There is no weak performance here; Dr Bartolo (Andrew Shore) embraces his comic-villainous role, Berta (Angharad Morgan) and Fiorello (Howard Kirk) amuse in their supporting roles, and it is wonderful to enjoy so much more of the rich tones of Keel Watson, seen so briefly as The Bonze in Madame Butterfly.
This production can be seen in November and December in Oxford and Llandudno but leaves the repertoire in 2022. Catch it if you can.
- : admin
- : 06/11/2021
AnniversaryHampshiremusicalOperaSouthamptonWelsh National Opera