FALL IN LOVE WITH LAUGHTER IN THIS RIOTOUS ROMP!
The work of Spanish theatre troupe Els Comediants came to international prominence in 1992 with the spectacular fire ceremony they designed for the closing of the Barcelona Olympics, and they wowed Toronto when they brought their unbounded vitality to the COC production of Cinderella. In this new COC production, the freewheeling Spaniards take on Rossini’s greatest comedy about the barber Figaro who helps a nobleman win the woman of his dreams. Their cubist-inspired sets play with scale and proportion, while bursts of day-glo colour and innovative lighting conjure a fantasy world hovering between fairytale and hilarious vaudeville. Hitting all the high notes is an impressive cast of voices led by “dynamite performer” (Opera News) Joshua Hopkins, and “vocally flawless” (Munich Merkur) Met tenor Alek Shrader. Rossini’s score is a veritable hit parade, with showstoppers and sparkling tunes aplenty, while the creative magic on stage reminds us how much sheer fun and surprise can be had at the opera. With the COC Orchestra and Chorus New COC co-production with Houston Grand Opera and Opéra National de Bordeaux Production Sponsor
Production Supported by
Joshua Hopkins is
The Barber of Seville Gioacchino Rossini
Prelude Magazine 23