Megan Marino (Rosina) and Will Liverman (Figaro) in Virginia Opera’s “The Barber of Seville.”
Fairfax — A universally appealing comic opera, Rosinni’s “The Barber of Seville” contains instantly recognizable and notable tunes that have made their way into pop culture. One well-known song introduces Figaro, the lead character, with its famous repeated proclamations of his own name. There is even a Bugs Bunny animated short called “The Rabbit of Seville.”
"The Barber of Seville" is truly one of the gateway operas, full of infectious tunes and hilarity that's remarkably easy to follow,” said Adam Turner, principal conductor and artistic advisor, Virginia Opera. “It is a masterpiece; a delightful dose of comedy paired with a bubbly score, full of familiar melodies carried along by impressive vocal acrobatics.”
Turner promised that “Barber” will have the audience “humming along, fully tuned-in to the hilarious schemes” of the barber character. For those who have never been to an opera, “The Barber of Seville” is a highly accessible story with catchy tunes and “razor-sharp clarity and wit.”
The opera follows the fast-moving comical exploits of Figaro, a mischievous barber who finds himself dealing with matters of love for not only himself, but others as well. He jumps into one funny situation after another until all becomes right in the world.
For Robert Cinnanti, Virginia Opera, director of education and outreach, the troupe’s approach for “Barber” is to “throw out any notion of the ‘traditional’ or ‘same old, same old.” The company wants audiences of every generations and knowledge of opera to enjoy the performance.
According to Russell Allen, President and CEO, Virginia Opera casting for the featured roles in “The Barber of Seville” include Megan Marino, Andrew Owens and Will Liverman as Figaro, the quick-witted barber. It is Liverman’s Virginia Opera debut. He is a graduate of the Virginia Governor’s School for the Arts. In an interview Liverman reached out to aspiring artists thinking of a career in opera. “Stay focused on what your own path is…Your experiences will be what they are…Stay true to yourself and never lose the joy in why you decided to sing.”
Megan Marino plays the opera’s love interest and heroine Rosina. She is an alumna of Virginia Opera’s “Herndon Foundation Emerging Artist Program.” Andrew Owens is the young Count Almaviva who loves Rosina. He is also an alum of Virginia Opera’s “Herndon Foundation Emerging Artist Program.”
Virginia Opera’s clever and inventive production is directed by Michael Shell with John Brill conducting the Rossini delightful musical score.
Where and When
George Mason University’s Center for the Arts, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. Performances: Dec. 3 and 4, 2016 at 8 p.m. Tickets $54, $90 and $110. Call 888-945-2468, or visit www.cfa.gmu.edu. Note: This Virginia Opera production of “The Barber of Seville” will be sung in Italian with English supertitles. Note: Pre-performance discussion led by Dr. Glenn Winter, 45 minutes before the performance.