Il Barbiere di Siviglia

The cavernous Arena di Verona might not seem the most hospitable venue for a modestly-scaled bel canto work like Rossini’s famous comic opera, but Hugo De Ana's 2018 production was enthusiastically received by the audience of thousands seated in the vast Roman-era amphitheater. To be sure, the tale of how Count Almaviva—with the connivance of cunning barber Figaro—steals the lovely Rosina from her guardian Dr. Bartolo (who had hoped to marry her himself) is treated as raucous, knockabout farce, but that lack of subtlety is largely dictated by the hugeness of the stage, which is transformed into a surrealistic garden, and by the cast, which includes some veterans who might charitably be described as vocally past their prime. It is remarkable that in his mid-70s Leo Nucci can still negotiate Figaro’s music at all, but his strenuous efforts are warmly received here (he is even encouraged to reprise the barber’s famous "Largo al Factotum"). Less successful is Ferruccio Furlanetto, who offers a labored account of music teacher Basilio’s vengeance aria. Among the younger singers, Dmitry Korchak is a good Almaviva, Nino Machaidze is a wobbly Rosina, and Carlo Lepore’s Bartolo is outstanding. Daniel Oren conducts in a fashion that shows an understanding of the proper style even as he demonstrates consideration for the vocal limitations of the cast. The performance concludes with a show of fireworks that provides the spectacle expected by the Verona audience, but ultimately this is just a middle-grade Barber that cannot really compete with the finest versions available. Presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 and stereo on DVD, and DTS-HD 5.1 and PCM stereo on Blu-ray, this is a strong optional purchase. (F. Swietek)