Ancient Bass Comedy

Before there was Rick Ross, there was Figaro, an everyday hustlin' barber from Sivigila. He's the star of Gioachino Rossini's comic opera The Barber of Seville, in which he helps a rich guy meet a sexy babe while eluding her guardian's cock block. This opera is noted for its use...

By Jacob Katel

February 11, 2010

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Before there was Rick Ross, there was Figaro, an everyday hustlin' barber from Sivigila. He's the star of Gioachino Rossini's comic opera The Barber of Seville, in which he helps a rich guy meet a sexy babe while eluding her guardian's cock block. This opera is noted for its use of street slang and heavy bass, so it's perfect for Miami. (In fact, the production purposely leaves out the usual castrati role reserved for the high-pitched voices of dudes without balls.)

Beethoven told Rossini The Barber of Seville would exist as long as there was Italian opera, but he probably didn't foresee its adaptation into episodes of Looney Tunes, Woody Woodpecker, The Simpsons, or Seinfeld, just to name a few. Indeed, this opera buffa was always aimed at a working-class audience. It's opera that isn't lame.
Sat., Feb. 20; Tue., Feb. 23; Wed., Feb. 24; Fri., Feb. 26; Sat., Feb. 27; Sun., Feb. 28, 2010

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