Tulsa Opera presents The Barber of Seville

This lively farce tells the story of Count Almaviva, an aristocrat, who falls in love with the lovely Rosina, the niece, and the ward of Doctor Bartolo. Almaviva goes to great lengths to capture the heart of Rosina, despite Bartolo’s efforts to confine and marry Rosina himself, largely for her family’s inheritance.

It’s a zany pursuit of love’s twists, turns, ulterior motives and true intentions. Almaviva attempts to woo Rosina, despite Bartolo’s greedy efforts to marry her himself.

Enter Figaro, a barber and master schemer, singing the most famous aria in all of opera, Largo al factotum. With Figaro’s help, Almaviva fools Bartolo with his schemes and disguises, ultimately winning the girl. This opera has been described as “a night of hilarity and belly-laughing humor.”

This score was composed by Gioachino Rossini.

The DC Theatre Scene had this to say about The Barber of Seville: “In Rossini’s work, a lot of that political volatility remains under the surface, but the excitement can still be felt in the pulsating score. Revolution was in the air.

“Not only is the lead voice given to a working-class stiff, but Figaro, a barber, easily infiltrates not only the household of Dr. Bartolo, becoming confident and spurring-on partner-in-crime to the man’s ward, the lovely Rosina; he becomes the friend, aide, and abettor to Count Almaviva, suitor to that same Rosina.

“The aged characters and noble class are either parodied mercilessly or demonstrate that they need help from those below to inject vitality and success in their enterprises. It’s Figaro’s conquest we cheer.”

For the Tulsa performances, Oklahoma’s own Sarah Coburn will play Rosina. An American soprano, Coburn is said to captivate audiences with her “precision placement, mercury speed, and a gorgeous liquid gold tone, gilded by a thrilling top and bottom register” (The Globe and Mail).

Other performers are Aaron Blake as Count Almaviva, Steven LaBrie as Figaro, Peter Strummer as Dr. Bartolo and Roberto Kalb will be the conductor.

Kalb is currently the resident conductor of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.

The Barber of Seville is sung in Italian with English titles projected above the stage.

Tulsa Opera will bring to the stage two performances. Friday Opening Night, October 19 at 7:30 p.m. and the Sunday Matinee is October 21 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets range in price from $35 to $130.

For tickets, call the box office at (918) 587-4811, ext. 100 or visit www.tulsaopera.com/buy-tickets.

Copyright The Gayly. 10/13/2018 @ 11:59 p.m. CST.