Cowtown Opera Company has done it again with an utterly enchanting English-language version of Rossinis Barber of Seville, that they localized and are calling The Barber of Cowtown (another performance Saturday night, plus a closing matinee on Sunday). I was going to say theyve pulled it off again instead of done it again because this is so improbable, a bunch of kids doing popup, flashmob, etc etc in a world in which mature opera companies are going down the tubes right and left. And then I realize, every one of the principal performers in this bunch of kids has at least a Masters Degree or equivalent in opera performance; and these kids, as well as the accomplished supporting cast, are mostly now into their second decades as serious, committed classical singing actors, and over several improbable years Cowtown has pulled off first-rate, professional productions of Fleidermaus, Boheme, Hansel and Gretel, Magic Flute, and a passel of innovative singalong evenings, plus the popups and flashmobs and invasions of Toronto that have set off showers of electrical sparks of attention and praise every time. And all on budgets too tight to be called shoestring -- more like dental floss. High praise for Michelle Minke, Barbara Thorson, Melissa Jackson, and a dozen others whose faith in the art form, and faith in the audience, coupled with hard work, dedication, and sheer ability, has made this happen. High praise for Chris Mayell, whom we got to know several years ago in the Calgary Operas Emerging Artists program; He was an outstanding Almaviva tonight, absolutely shining vocally and shining a peculiar light on the character with some of the most winning and skillful scenery-chewing that Ive ever seen (the scenery-chewing was the directors idea, and it worked brilliantly). High praise for Aria Umezawa, the director, who took Rossinis original Italian libretto and made it into one of the best vernacular English translations of an opera that Ive ever heard. She also took the improbable Almaviva character, driven crazy by his infatuation with the gorgeous Rosina, and adapted the character to Chris Mayells skilled acting. The result was that rarest of mixtures, a flagrantly burlesqued character who nonetheless reveals touching depth. About the Rosina -- soprano Katie McCullogh, fresh from her win at the Metropolitan Opera regional auditions a few months ago. My, what a voice. What musicianship! What a gifted actress! I hardly know where to start, so maybe Ill leave it at this. Brave, Brave, Brave Katie. Thank you for a fabulous theatrical experience tonight. Jeremy Ludwigs Bartolo was presented to us by the director as a man constantly on the brink of an apoplectic disaster as he tries manfully to cope with the unfolding shenanigans, and by and large fails. The singer and actor rose to the occasion and gave us a wonderful comic portrayal, gorgeously sung. Opera can be, and usually is, bigger than this, but let me tell you, it is only rarely better than this. Tickets are available for Saturday and the Sunday matinee. I recommend you get yours now. cowtownoperacompany/newhome-7/
Posted on: Sat, 31 May 2014 08:24:13 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015