01.07.2008 / Rossini's il Barbiere di Siviglia
Letter from Zoellner Perf. Arts Center – Lehigh University
Bethlehem,PA
July 8, 2008
Opera's hits keep coming in 'Barber'
"The international mix worked fine on Thursday night at Proctor's Theatre in Schenectady where the Teatro Lirico D'Europa presented Rossini's classic comedy "The Barber of Seville." The opera's most famous music and the best performance of the night came early on with "Largo al factotum," a tour de force aria overstuffed with running melodic lines and mouthfuls of words. Its la-la-la's and Figaro-Figaro Figaro's are a quintessential bit of opera, lampooned almost as often as a soprano in horns.
Baritone Vladmir Samsonov as Figaro belted out the proudlyself-referential number with stunning accuracy and captivating bravado. As Samsonov's square and sturdy frame faced center stage, it was hard not to stare in amazement as his tongue bounced up and down within his huge opened mouth. Throughout the night each of the principal singers seemed to go for broke. That may be the only way to take on "Barber of Seville" since its music often spins and rattles as fast as a roulette wheel. By the end of the night, everybody was a winner.
ALBANY TIMES UNION - Joseph Dalton - April 2006
BARBER OF SEVILLE delights Audience!
"THE BARBER OF SEVILLE was presented by Teatro Lirico D'Europa on Friday, Feb. 18 at the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts center at UM-St. Louis. The company was in fine voice and full comic form, and the performance delighted the packed house. The opera singers were excellent. When baritone Vladimir Samsonov took the stage in the title role of FIGARO and performed that famous "Figaro, Figaro" aria with booming bravura and comic vocal flourishes, the audience response was so overwhelming and the applause so thunderous and sustained that the star was compelled to quiet the audience just so the opera could continue. It was a very good start to an artistically excellent performance by the whole troupe."
THE CURRENT - Catherine Marquis-Homeyer - February 2005
BARBER OF SEVILLE Sparkles at the Vet!
"Teatro Lirico D'Europa gave a sparkling rendition of Rossini's Barber of Seville last night at Veteran's Memorial Auditorium with some funny touches and dazzling vocal pyrotechnics. Teatro Lirico has been known for consistent productions that are a cut above the companies that have come here in the past. Last night's BARBER was not only well sung, but well acted, with handsome singers who moved well on the set. Vladimir Samsonov was a hoot as Figaro. The staging was lively and imaginative."
PROVIDENCE JOURNAL - Channing Gray - February 2005
Teatro Lirico's Classical Barber a Cut Above!
"The little touring company that could began its annual, much - anticipated visit to town Thursday night at the Cutler Majestic Theatre with a solid engaging performance of Rossini's comedy THE BARBER OF SEVILLE. Baritone Vladimir Samsonov's Figaro was generous of personality and winningly sturdy of voice.
BOSTON HERALD - T.J. Medrek - January 2005
Teatro Lirico Returns to Boston with Sparkling Barber!
"It's official. Boston really loves Teatro Lirico D'Europa. The Cutler Majestic was at near capacity for the single performance of Rossini's IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA. Rossini demands phenomenal vocal and verbal dexterity from the entire ensemble - and great comic timing. Those were exactly what Teatro Lirico brought. It may have been the best production of this familiar opera I've ever seen. This was very much a cast-centered enterprise. And they were all good! Figaro was the engaging young Russian baritone Samsonov, who has sung with the Bolshoi Opera and Marinsky Theatre. He was truly the center of this production, commanding the stage with his wit and charm. His Italian diction was first rate and he has a refined and ringing tone--burnished copper. He used his voice to bravura effect!
BOSTON PHOENIX - Lloyd Schwartz - January 2005
BARBER is a Gem!
"Teatro Lirico D'Europa's production of BARBER OF SEVILLE is a wonderful, bawdy romp through one of the world's favorite operas. PCA Performances is to be thanked for bringing this lively lyrical performance to Merrill Auditorium. The comedic action is first rate with a lot of laugh out loud action. Vladimir Samsonov has the voice and energy to bring the barber alive.
PORTLAND PRESS HERALD - Christopher Hyde - March 2005
