by MK
It was freezing cold as the bora wind was blowing hard on 11 December, but inside the Verdi Theater, home to one of the largest performance stages in Trieste, the atmosphere was anything but. It was electric and real fun!
Award-winning Director Francesco Quattrochi, in a show of captivating histrionics paired with Rossini’s virtuosity, validated the significance and ongoing legacy of Verdi Opera in Trieste’s cultural life.
Saturday’s operatic performance of Barber of Seville was led by an all-star cast of virtuosic voices like Matteo Macchioni (Almaviva), Mario Cassi (Figaro), Fabio Previati (Bartolo), and Paola Gardina (Rosina), and the endearing Verdi’s Choir.
With the addition of an enthusiastic and unceasingly divine Verdi’s orchestra (bravi!) the performance was directed under the sagacious baton of Massimo Luconi.
The absolute knock-outs of the night were Cassi’s Figaro, who concluded the first act with a stirring encore of Figaro qua, Figaro là. Rosina, sung by Gardina with her supple pliability and of course Macchioni’s Almaviva with his highly virtuosic performance.
The opera finished to a 3-minute standing ovation which was directed at the performers but also at the possibility of finally being able to enjoy a spectacular performance in an almost full theater.
We can’t wait for the 2022 opera season to take off!
