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Title: A Rollicking Good Time
Review: A wonderful rendition of a superb opera in the classical tradition. Superb staging and excellent interpretations of the characters by a cast who very obviously loved what they were doing. The artists are having great fun, and that is what drives this opera.I had reservations about the "serious" music of a comic opera. No more! Outstanding vocal combinations.Knoxville Opera performed "Il Barbiere" this spring, and took the stock references of the traditional performance and instead made mimed references to Elvis, M Jackson, YMCA, Kiss, "the Karate Kid," pole dancing, and so much more ... no change in music, but only in the mimed, frozen scenes. The audience was howling. I have never had so much fun at a performance.This opera is so open to contemporary references ... it is timeless. I'll take it with Rossini's references to his own times, and take it with a wonderful maestro's reference to our own times. Works either way, and the music is timeless.
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