The Opera Tattler

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SF Opera’s Barbiere (Camarena, Corbelli, Meachem, Leonard)

Sf-opera-barbiere-act2-2013* Notes * 
Last night a co-production of Il barbiere di Siviglia (Act II pictured left, photograph by Cory Weaver) with Lithuanian National Opera opened at San Francisco Opera. Llorenc Corbella's set includes few walls on a raised platform meant to look like either the outside of Bartolo's house, or an interior courtyard, or the inside of the house, depending on the scene. The direction, from Emilio Sagi, has charm but is rather busy.

The orchestra sounded clear and fleet under Giuseppe Finzi. There were a few moments that were a little too loud, but not many. The oboe and clarinet were particularly fine. The chorus also sounded strong and together.

It is nice to hear Ao Li on the main stage, even if only in the small role of Fiorello. A.J. Glueckert is funny as Ambrogio and works well with Catherine Cook's hearty Berta. Likewise Andrea Silvestrelli is a rich-toned Don Basilio.

Alessandro Corbelli is a more than competent Doctor Bartolo, his patter is impressive. Lucas Meachem has perfect comic timing and a robust voice. Isabel Leonard makes for an attractive Rosina, her voice is dusky but has a lightness. Her "Una voce poco fa" was a bit too stately, but the audience liked her very much. Javier Camarena is a sweet-voiced Almaviva. His legato is lovely, and his sound as a certain open quality that is appealing.

* Tattling * 
Standing room attendance was sparse, I purchased my ticket at 6:20pm and had Standing Room Ticket 16.

There were only a few late-comers on the Balcony Level, and only one of them had a mobile phone that chimed once, during some Act I recitative.

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6 responses to “SF Opera’s Barbiere (Camarena, Corbelli, Meachem, Leonard)”

  1. Roberto Avatar
    Roberto

    I enjoyed as well. Javier Camarena, at least for me, was the most impressive. It was a fun night. People should see it.

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  2. The Opera Tattler Avatar
    The Opera Tattler

    Agreed about Camarena!

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  3. Roberto Avatar
    Roberto

    I went to the Saturday’s performance. I was so tired on the opening night that I wanted to see it again, when I was more relaxed and without the workday behind me.
    It was the first time that I bought a ticket for the standing room at the back of the balcony. I always heard that it was the best place in the house to hear music, but I never imagined that it was so good. I got flabbergasted by the acoustics. I never heard such a good balance between singers and orchestra. I could hear every single whisper as if the stage was 10 feet from me. With the OperaVision and for 10 bucks, it is the best place in the house to appreciate an opera. The only problem is obvious: it is not a seat.The usher didn’t let me to sit on a vacant seat on the aisle. So well…
    I was not aware that Lucas Meachem sings bel canto. We saw him in a couple of Mozart roles (Count Almaviva and Don Giovanni). He has a sweet and lyrical voice. Despite being a German, I didn’t have any problem with his Italian. He is not Hermann Prey, though (to mention another tedesco famous on this repertory). His famous aria was too much to him. His breathing was just not there. And probably he knows that. But it is such a difficult aria that anyone who tries has my whole support. He compensated with wit and intellect (cliche, I know).
    Alessandro Corbelli is Italian and associated with the bel canto. He also had problems with his big aria. That’s not easy stuff. The crescendos are just too fast.He also compensated with wit and intellect (ditto).
    I don’t think that the director was gracious with Isabel Leonard. He should have let her focus on “Una voce poco fa”, instead of making her busy, walking back and forth, setting up those vases of flowers in the portico. That was her moment. I wanted to see more of her and less scenic moves. She has an interesting dark voice, with plenty of subtleties and color She could try Violetta one day. This is Callas territory. While the legendary soprano could display so much authenticity that made “Una voce poco fa” sounded like it was written by her instead of to her, Isabel Leonard was just the opposite. Leonard couldn’t be more loyal to the score. Since she was not permitted to be natural on her opening scene, she lost credibility with me.
    But what I want to talk is about Javier Camarena.I am still deeply moved by his voice and generosity. He made me happy. It is one of these moments that I leave the opera with a smile on my face. What a privilege! I just didn’t have a good night, I had a night that I would never forget. It doesn’t happen too frequently. I was pretty sure that the fact that Camarena is Mexican is not irrelevant. A quick Google lookup confirmed what I was suspecting: he is coached by Francisco Araiza. By the way, I believe that he was really playing the guitar. While we usually condescend on flaws (Meachem and Corbelli, for example), we need to recognize perfection. Bravo, Javier!
    Finzi the orchestra and the chorus were great. Some people thought that the orchestra was a little bit loud on a couple of occasions, but for me Finzi was correct. From the top of the balcony, everything blended fine.
    Special mention to Ao Li. He has a beatiful voice. I hope he takes care of that. My first reaction to Andrea Silvestrelli was that he was a miscast. But he added comedy and irreverence to the performance and that’s what the “Barbieri” is about.I would like to see him as the Commendatore here one day.

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  4. Roberto Avatar
    Roberto

    I had the impression that Lucas Meachem is German. He is American.

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  5. marco Avatar
    marco

    tue Nov 19; great Javier and Isabel. I liked the sparkling tension and lightness. the finale with the car , balloons and fireworks perhaps too much …. dancers and fiesta could have be enough .

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  6. Al Avatar
    Al

    Some tattling…Last night’s performance was excellent and Javier was the standout. I hope we hear him here again soon. There was a woman seated in one of the handicapped seats at the back of the Dress Circle with two adorable miniature wire-haired dachshunds on a blanket next to her seat. I was not aware that the Opera House had a badger infestation. Maybe they thought that they were there to hear some Poochini.

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