The Barber of Seville at Lyric Opera

Chicago Tribune - Highly Recommended

"...In sum, Lyric is giving us a thoroughly engaging new "Barber of Seville" that should serve the company honorably for years to come, provided the company can continue to stock its performances with singing and conducting of the high quality in evidence here."

Chicago Sun Times - Recommended

"...Lyric Opera’s new version of Rossini’s comic “The Barber of Seville” moved into the Civic Opera House on Saturday night. At times I missed the old one, introduced in 1989 and last seen in 2008, with its slyly cartoonish Magritte-style sets, hilarious approximation of an umbrella-destroying rainstorm and breakneck pace. But the new production, set in elegant Old Spain and propelled by a cast that’s strong from top to bottom, has its charms as well."

Chicago Stage Review - Highly Recommended

"...This production is tip-top, a consistently clever and insightful interpretation, right down to the contemporary language of the supertitles and hilarious choreography that brings the humor full circle via the superb Lyric Opera men’s chorus. By the time we reach the happy conclusion in a flurry of rose petals, Gunn’s Figaro has us all in the palm of his hand, and the harsh weather outside the walls of the Opera House seems very far away indeed. A triumph."

Chicago On the Aisle - Highly Recommended

"...In recent years the Lyric Opera of Chicago has imported a number of director-designer teams from the theater side to bring fresh ideas. By now it's a solid tradition, and although the success rate has been mixed, Ashford's work shows how valuable it can be to address an old standard from a smart new perspective. This "Barber" fairly dances."

ChicagoCritic - Recommended

"...The orchestra played with its usual musicality and warmth for the young Italian conductor Michele Mariotti; while the playing he elicited was generally sensitive and often quite lively, with some especially magical moments in the second act, greater brilliance from the strings would often have been welcome. Yet on the whole, the combined efforts of Rossini and the Lyric provide much to enjoy in this evening of lilting bel canto, hijinks, and all-around high spirits."

The Fourth Walsh - Highly Recommended

"...In other words, this all-new production of The Barber of Seville is not only an extremely pleasurable night of opera and theater, but one with shades of deeper meaning that linger deep into the night as you regretfully say goodbye to the gilded interiors of the Lyric and return to daily routines that aren’t nearly as decadent, colorful or dynamic."