Miei Primo Opera Esperienza

The Barber of Seville By Gioacchino Rossini

The Barber of Seville (Il barbiere di Siviglia) is an opera buffa in two acts by Gioachino Rossini and is perhaps one of the most important and influential comic operas in the repertoire, sparkling in its excitement and humour, but also filled with moments of the most beautiful music composed in the 19th century. (extracted from SLO's website)

Attracted by the sassy advertisements, yours truly decided to go for this contemporary approach to Rossini's The Barber of Selville by Singapore Lyric Opera. Opera seems to be a genre that few would identify with, perhaps having a preconception of it as an art form that's relatively unapproachable and difficult to understand. Yet Hey Figaro! promises to make opera accessible to the mass by taking on a modern concept by setting it in the present with a dash of retro feel to it, as characters are dressed up in retro costumes reminiscent of those in the '60s and '70s. Indeed, the protagonist, Count Almaviva appears as an Elvis and Austin Powers lookalike while the antagonist, Dr Bartolo bears striking resemblance to Dr Evil with his mad scientist getup.

The entire opera was sung in Italian with English and Chinese subtitles, and not being able to understand Italian, meant that one is reliant upon the translation, which tries its best but nothing beats understanding it in the original context. At certain moments, laughter was only milked from the audience when the translation appeared, which kind of makes me wonder whether we are laughing at the appropriate moment. Yet the familiar music and tunes as well as the actors' comic timing and action makes the entire production an enjoyable one to watch.

A brief synopsis of the plot:
The ardent Count Almaviva has fallen in love with Rosina, the pretty ward of Doctor Bartolo, who wants to marry her himself. So far, Almaviva is known to her only under the assumed name of Lindoro. After a serenade and an exchange of letters, he disguises himself as a tipsy soldier, and manages to get into Bartolo’s house by aid of the factotum Figaro. But his stratagem is foiled by the entrance of the guard, who arrest the would-be wooer and carry him to gaol. In the 2nd Act he appears as a stand-in for Basilio, the singing-master, said to be sick. In order, however, to gain the suspicious Bartolo’s confidence, he produces one of Rosina’s letters to himself, declaring that it was given him by a mistress of Almaviva. Bartolo thinks he will inflame Rosina’s jealousy by telling the scandal to Rosina, whose disappointment nearly frustrates Almaviva’s deep-laid schemes. Happily, Almaviva secures an interview with Rosina, convinces her of his constancy, and induces her to elope before Bartolo discovers the trick that has been played upon him.

(adapted & extracted: http://www.musicwithease.com/rossini-barber-seville.html)

All in all, my first Italian opera experience left me looking forward to my next :)