OPERA RESPONSE: BARBER OF SEVILLE

Today was my first time visiting the San Francisco Opera - it was quite an experience since I went with my father & baby sister - both not fans of the opera world. The opera house itself is beautiful & huge - although I must say the seats were a bit small (I know - you're probably saying it's your ass that got bigger but that's not the case - the seats were really small)

The production was a special presentation of Rosinni's Barber of Seville for families - an abridged 2 hour version with Figaro providing some narrative to move the story along. I was very impressed with the incredible set - a rotating house that provided all of the action - the special effects were out of this world.

I really wanted to see the handsome Nathan Gunn play the role of Figaro (that's his picture on the right - yum!) but alas he did not perform - Brian Leerhuber did a fine job in the role though there was nothing really spectacular about his performance. I was very impressed with Dale Travis as Doctor Bartolo (a role I now have my eye on) and Catherine Cook was splendid as Berta. John Osborn (Count Almaviva) has a beautiful tenor voice that rang through the theatre. Allyson McHardy had a lovely voice as Rosina although a bit too soft for my taste. Ricardo Herrera stole the how as Ambrogio - although be barely sang he was by far the most entertaining actor onstage.


During the famous overture all I could think of was that Bugs Bunny cartoon - The Rabbit of Seville which features that great music. It was a wonderful first experience at the San Francisco Opera and even though opera was not my family's cup of tea- they really enjoyed the performance.

The Barber of Seville plays until November 30.