OperaNotes Review

Metropolitan Opera House

December 17, 2003
By Charlene Frank
 

Music: Gioachino Rossini
Libretto: Cesare Sterbini
Conductor: Bruno Campanella
Production: John Cox
Set Designer: Robin Wagner
Stage Director: Kristine McIntyre

Cast:
Rosina: Ruth Ann Swenson
Almaviva: Juan Diego Flórez
Figaro: Dwayne Croft
Dr. Bartolo: Alfonso Antoniozzi
Don Basilio: Paata Burchuladze

Wow! Everyone was waiting to see Juan Diego Flórez, and he made the wait worth it. El Pais, Spain's largest newspaper recently wrote that Juan Diego Flórez was possibly the best living Bel Canto tenor in the world. In January of 2004, the New York Times crowned him " the new king of the Bel Canto repertory". This reviewer agrees. Flórez made his debut at the Met in early 2002. At that time the New York Times wrote "It's not often that a tenor has it all - youth, looks and a sweet, soaring voice. Juan Diego Flórez put the complete package together Thursday night with a smashing Metropolitan Opera debut in Rossini's Il Barbiere di Siviglia.'' And he keeps getting better. His acting has improved markedly since 2002. He was really funny this evening, and he proved to be unflappable when his wig fell off and he put it on backwards. His agility, well, only Angel in Jonathan Larsen's Broadway musical "Rent" can jump atop a table with the grace of this young and talented Peruvian. He truly does bring the complete package together. Am I going on and on too much about this handsome young tenor? Go see him, you'll understand.

There was nothing in this lively comedy that wasn't beautifully done. Soprano Ruth Ann Swenson was superb as Rosina. Her voice was sweet and clear, and her ability as a comedic actress was brilliant. The role of Figaro could have been written for Dwayne Croft. His baritone fit the role perfectly. He was as funny as he was talented.

Alfonso Antoniozzi (Dr. Bartolo) and Paata Burchuladze (Don Basilio), with his deep booming bass, were as silly and unlikable as they should have been for these roles.

Nobody could have asked for a better cast at the Met. The Met should only have the best. This Barbiere was the best. Let's see it again! And let's get a CD/DVD with this cast - soon! Wow!