Calgary Opera Stages The Barber of Seville with Laughter and Technical Prowess
During rehearsals for Calgary Opera's production of The Barber of Seville, Chinese-American bass Adam Lau brought unexpected laughter to the cast and crew with an unscripted comedic moment. Playing the scheming music teacher Don Basilio, Lau pretended to bang his face on a door while entering the stage as an April Fool's joke, showcasing the playful atmosphere that director Elizabeth Stepkowski Tarhan fosters even in demanding opera preparations.
Joyful Rehearsals Amidst Technical Demands
While Gioachino Rossini's classic Italian comedy naturally incorporates slapstick elements, the production requires what Calgary Opera describes as "Olympic-level singing." Stage director Elizabeth Stepkowski Tarhan emphasizes that opera creation inherently involves laughter and camaraderie, despite the serious work involved. "Opera is not deadly serious even when you are in rooms doing the deepest-darkest, there is still laughter in creation," Tarhan explains. "There is joy in creation, there is laughter in creation, there is incredible camaraderie in collaborations."
Tarhan has implemented a unique rehearsal rule to maintain levity: "When an error occurs, the rule in my rehearsal hall is that if you do it wrong three times, it's a keeper and it's our new line." She acknowledges this isn't always enforced strictly but serves to keep the environment light. "Sometimes, when somebody does something wrong, it's the way that they move to correct it that is funny," she adds.
Technical Virtuosity Required
The Barber of Seville is widely regarded as one of opera's most technically demanding works for both singers and orchestras. The production features performers including John Tessier as Count Almaviva, Grisha Martirosyan as Figaro, Zoe Pepper, Eswina Ngai, Dion Mazerolle, Kelsey Ronn, Ryan Nauta, and Siphozaki Molteno. Tarhan notes the extraordinary difficulty of Rossini's composition: "The coloratura, the patter songs — it's so fast. Rossini's music is virtuosic for both the orchestra and the singer. The sinfonia that the orchestra plays at the beginning is so difficult."
This technical challenge requires careful negotiation during rehearsals. "As a stage director, I have a vision for the physicality and the pictures and things like that, and sometimes you just have to say, 'At this point, let's hand it over musically and say this is an extraordinarily difficult run for the next 30 seconds and maybe everybody just stand still,'" Tarhan explains.
Cultural Legacy and Story Elements
Even those unfamiliar with opera recognize The Barber of Seville's most famous pieces, particularly the opening aria Largo al Factotum with its iconic "Figaro Figaro Figaro!" refrain. The music has permeated popular culture through adaptations like the 1950 Bugs Bunny parody The Rabbit of Seville and its clever use in a 1993 Seinfeld episode titled The Barber.
The opera itself is a classic romantic comedy following Count Almaviva's attempts to woo the determined Rosina with assistance from the clever barber Figaro. Rosina is sheltered by her stern guardian Dr. Bartolo, who receives aid from the scheming music teacher Don Basilio. The plot employs comedic hallmarks including:
- Romantic mishaps and deception
- Elaborate disguises and mistaken identities
- Deeper messages about true love
- Challenges to European class structures
Calgary Opera's production balances these timeless comedic elements with the technical virtuosity required to perform Rossini's masterpiece, creating an experience that honors both the work's historical significance and its enduring appeal.
