SUNY Potdam
Current Weather Overcast 47.0°
News Detail
The magic of the Met's "Barber of Seville" coming to Potsdam
06.25.09
The North Country will be filled with the sights and sounds of Metropolitan Opera performances this summer as SUNY Potsdam and the Roxy Theater team up to present the first of the “Mondays at the Met” series with “The Barber of Seville.” The Metropolitan Opera high definition broadcast of Gioachino Rossini’s “The Barber of Seville” will take place Monday, July 13, at 7:15 p.m. at the Roxy Theater in downtown Potsdam. “Barber” is an opera buffa in two acts with a libretto (based on Pierre Beaumarchais's comedy “Le Barbier de Séville”) by Cesare Sterbini. The overture, first written for Aureliano in Palmira, is a famous example of Rossini's characteristic Italian style. The premiere took place on Feb. 20, 1816, at the Teatro Argentina, Rome. It would become one of the first Italian operas ever performed in America, premiering at the Park Theater in New York on Nov. 29, 1825. In the story, the ardent Count Almaviva has fallen in love with Rosina, the pretty ward of Doctor Bartolo, who wants to marry her himself. So far, Almaviva is known to her only under the assumed name of Lindoro. After a serenade and an exchange of letters, he disguises himself as a tipsy dragoon, and manages to get into Bartolo’s house by aid of the factotum Figaro. But his stratagem is foiled by the entrance of the guard, who arrest the would-be wooer. In the second act, he appears as Deputy for Basilio, the singing-master, is said to be sick. To gain the suspicious Bartolo’s confidence, he produces one Rosina’s letters to himself, declaring that it was given him by a mistress of Almaviva. Bartolo thinks he will inflame Rosina’s jealousy by telling the scandal to Rosina, whose disappointment nearly frustrates Almaviva’s deep-laid schemes. Happily, Almaviva secures an interview with Rosina, convinces her of his constancy and induces her to elope before Bartolo discovers the trick that has been played upon him. The cast includes the talents of Joyce DiDonato as Rosina, Juan Diego Flórez as Count Almaviva, Peter Mattei as Figaro and John Del Carlo as Dr. Bartolo. The production is conducted by Maurizio Benini. “Mondays at the Met” features the most successful and popular operas from the Met’s past seasons in HD and surround sound. Many of these greatest hits will appear for the first time in the North Country. English subtitles for each production allow everyone to enjoy the dynamic stories. Intermission features are abbreviated so the operas better fit busy summer schedules. The other productions this summer are “La fille du règiment” (Daughter of the Regiment) by Donizetti, July 20; “The Audition,” a documentary of the 2007 Met Auditions, July 27; “Magic Flute” by Mozart, a shortened version in English for children, August 3; “Eugene Onegin” by Tchaikovsky, August 10; and “La Bohème” by Puccini, August 17. Special summer ticket pricing is discounted: $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and $8 for students. Those who buy tickets for five operas at one time will get the sixth one free. Tickets are available by phone at (315) 267-2277 or in person at the CPS Box Office, the Roxy Theater and Northern Music and Video in Potsdam.