Grant Doyle’s charismatic Figaro is a delight, and Andrew Slater’s Bartolo an essay in comic timing. His tone-deaf rendition of a trite song to Rosina is priceless, and his marvellously clear patter leaves even Gilbert and Sullivan’s Major General standing. Kitty Whately displays a beautiful voice (insecurity at the very top notwithstanding) and feisty personality as Rosina, and Nicholas Sharratt is a personable Count
The orchestra is spirited, and it is great to have Rossini’s glockenspiel adding extra sparkle to tutti climaxes - gamely played by a one-man percussionist simultaneously pedalling cymbals and bass drum.
Even with Paul McGrath’s incisive conducting maintaining momentum, it is a long evening. The potential benefit of losing Berta the maid’s aria is negated by the restoration of Almaviva’s mammoth bravura showcase, which Rossini himself realised pointlessly delays the denouement (he recycled it in La Cenerentola). Even so, the time whizzes by. Hugely entertaining and highly recommended.
Link to original review here
