Critics and audiences are singing their praises of Opera Theater of St. Louis’ brilliant production of Rossini’s comic masterpiece, Barber of Seville. Jonathan Brandani makes his OTSL debut conducting the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra in the production that features the role debuts of baritone Justin Austin as Figaro and bass-baritone Patrick Carfizzi as Don Basilio, and the OTSL debuts of tenor Andrew Morstein (Count Almaviva) and mezzo-soprano Hongni Wu (Rosina).
The production, directed by Eric Sean Fogel, runs through June 29.
Steve Callahan of Broadway World writes:
“Jonathan Brandani and those marvelous musicians from the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra win me over. …The orchestra is lucid. You can hear every subtlety of timbre, the horse-hair touching the string, the immediacy of those double reeds. …There are many little solo cameos in the overture, and each is brilliant.
“Justin Austin brings vast charm and brio to the role of Figaro. A beautiful young man, he is physical grace incarnate. This Figaro’s smile dazzles, and he expresses a delightfully justified high opinion of himself—all in a lovely bold baritone voice.
“Andrew Morstein as Almaviva and Hongni Wu as Rosina are quite charming. confident young lovers. Both bring beautiful voices and fine comic senses to the roles.
Patrick Carfizzi and his “outstanding voice” is praised for his Don Basilio: “What pure clarity, what richness of tone. How easily he fills the hall. His ‘Scandal’ (La Calunnia) aria is perfection indeed.”
Rob Levy of Reviews STL writes:
“Justin Austin is delightful as the mischievous Figaro. Serving as the lynchpin for the drama onstage, he is a commanding presence whose comedic flourishes create many of the opera’s most memorable laughs.
“Andrew Morstein’s Count Almaviva is both likeable and vulnerable. While he debuts with the company playing a man clearly in over his head, this is clearly not the case with his performance, …he gives the character’s passion for Rosina a dramatic gravitas that counterbalances the antics happening around him.
“Also knocking it out of the park is mezzo-soprano Hongni Wu as Rosina. Her luminosity onstage results in some dynamic chemistry with both [Nathan] Stark and Morstein. Throw in her dynamic voice as you have a stellar OTSL debut from a talented performer who will undoubtedly be heard from again.
“While it is easy to heap praise upon the production’s wonderful ensemble, it is impossible to overlook the fact that none of their arias would amount to a hill of beans without conductor Jonathan Brandani. Performing an exquisite score with members of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, he set the pace with sonic textures that brought the operatic elements together.”
Mark Bretz in Ladue News writes:
The character of Figaro is flamboyant, debonair and ever congenial, attributes played to maximum delight by [Justin] Austin. His performance at the outset sets the tone for a production that is engaging, hilarious and brimming with good humor and spirited music. … Austin employs his smooth baritone to fine effect and shows his considerable chops as a comedian.
“Conductor Jonathan Brandani leads the SLSO in a brisk and bright reading of Rossini’s infectious musical score.
“Mezzo-soprano Hongni Wu makes her very impressive OTSL debut as the frustrated Rosina, and is especially humorous in Rosina’s fast-thinking explanations to Bartolo’s prying questions regarding her relationship with the student Lindoro. Wu deftly handles her arias and duets with elan.
“Tenor Andrew Morstein marks his own OTSL debut in impressive fashion as well, lamenting at the start Lindoro’s soulful quest for the beautiful Rosina. He suitably plays the straight man to Austin’s razor-sharp wit as the wily title character.
“Patrick Carfizzi is quite amusing as Bartolo’s aide-de-camp, Rosina’s piano teacher Don Basilo.”
For more information and tickets, please visit opera-stl.org/
Photo credits: Justin Austin and Patrick Carfizzi – Dario Acosta; Jonathan Brandani – Jenna Mahr; Andrew Morstein – Gillian Riesen; Hongni Wu – Ed Choo
