London Coliseum, 30 September 2015

Jonathan Miller’s production of The Barber of Seville has been around for many years and gone through many revivals. While it is still enjoyable it begins to show its age and was not helped by the rather stolid conducting from Christopher Allen.

Thankfully much of the singing was enthusiastic as well as musically pleasing with Andrew Shore’s Dr Bartolo a brilliant exemplar to all around him. Barnaby Rea’s Basilio was a fine foil – very much a partner in crime, for if anything this version of the Barber highlights the rapacious nature of all concerned. Even the radiant singing of Kathryn Rudge as Rosina concealed a ruthless intention to get her own way at all times. Morgan Pearse’s Barber may be more affable but is equally driven by money and open to any scam in order to make it. He may be very amusing but I’m not sure we would trust him in a tight situation. Not a likeable crew, but an entertaining one for much of the time.

The only really weak link in the evening was Eleazar Rodriguez’s Almaviva. His voice was poorly focused in the first scene and while it came into its own towards the end of act one it never really matched the impact of the rest of the cast. Given his short stature – and of course the company can do nothing about that – he seemed very much at odds with the other singers and never brought the authority the part needs.

Male chorus work was strong and minor parts were well played without too much gagging.

Coming away I realised I still really like the Barber but felt it was about time we had a fresh vision at ENO.