LA Opera's Figaro Trilogy to Continue with THE BARBER OF SEVILLE, 2/28-3/22

By: Jan. 30, 2015
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Following on the heels of The Ghosts of Versailles, LA Opera presents Rossini's The Barber of Seville, the midpoint of its 2015 Figaro Trilogy and a key part of its three-month Figaro Unbound exploration. LA Opera Music Director James Conlon conducts an international roster of stars including Russian baritone Rodion Pogossov, American mezzo-soprano Elizabeth DeShong, American tenor René Barbera, Italian baritone Alessandro Corbelli and Icelandic bass Kristinn Sigmundsson.

The Barber of Seville will have six performances from February 28 through March 22, 2015, at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion (135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles CA 90012).

When Emilio Sagi's production of Rossini's comic masterpiece was first presented in Los Angeles in 2009, the late Alan Rich raved in Variety that LA Opera had "delivered yet another supremely delicious bel canto comedy, The Barber of Seville, this one the finest of them all. There's something about the particular magic of of this enchanting repertory that has caught hold...Rossini's tidy, splendidly crafted comedy achieves a kind of perfection."

The Barber of Seville is part of LA Opera's 2015 Figaro Trilogy-three operas based on late 18th-century stage comedies by Pierre Beaumarchais-which begins with The Ghosts of Versailles by John Corigliano (February 7 through March 1) and will continue with The Marriage of Figaro by Mozart (March 21 through April 12).

Russian baritone Rodion Pogossov, who made his LAO debut in 2013 as Papageno in Barrie Kosky's production of The Magic Flute, stars as the wily barber Figaro. Mezzo-soprano Elizabeth DeShong makes her company debut as Rosina, and tenor René Barbera (a 2011 Operalia winner) returns as Count Almaviva, his first appearance with LA Opera since his 2013 company debut as Prince Ramiro in Rossini's Cinderella. Italian baritone Alessandro Corbelli sings the role of Doctor Bartolo in the first five performances, with bass-baritone Philip Cokorinos appearing in that role on March 22. Icelandic bass Kristinn Sigmundsson performs the role of Don Basilio.

Trevore Ross will direct this revival of a production originally staged by Spanish director Emilio Sagi for the Teatro Real in Madrid. The scenery designer is Llorenç Corbella, the costume designer is Renata Schussheim and the lighting designer is Eduardo Bravo. The production is choreographed by Nuria Castejón.

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