Canadian Opera Company – Rossini’s The Barber of Seville

by Paula Citron.
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The Barber of Seville
Canadian Opera Company
Composed by Gioacchino Rossini
Conducted by Miguel Harth-Bedoya
Directed by Michael Patrick Albano
Starring Rodion Pogossov, Enkelejda Shkosa, Blagoj Nacoski, Patrick Carfizzi, Burak Bilgili and Melinda Delorme
At the Four Seasons Centre until May 23
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The COC’s The Barber of Seville has superbly nuanced conducting from Miguel Harth-Bedoya, enough high jinks from director Michael Patrick Albano, and enough good singing and acting for a worthwhile production.

Russian baritone Rodion Pogossov as Figaro has a huge and sumptuous voice, and his stage presence is marked by an astonishing ease. Too bad he’s short because this will keep him from roles, I think.

Albanian mezzo Enkelejda Shkosa is another big, rich voice and is wasted in Rosina. I’d like to see her back in the Verdi and bel canto repertoire. American bass-baritone Patrick Carfizzi does a dandy job as Doctor Bartolo, but he is also short, while Turkish bass Burak Bilgili is a fine Don Basilio. Ensemble member Melinda Delorme as Berta shows off her pretty soprano.

The weak link is Macedonian tenor Blagoj Nacoski. His attractive voice is light weight with an iffy top.

The Barber of Seville continues at the Four Seasons Centre until May 23.

I’m Paula Citron, arts reviewer for THE NEW CLASSICAL 96.3 FM.