The Barber of Seville by Rossini, From (2023/2023), Directed by Stephen Lawless, Conductor Joseph Marcheso, Johannes Löhner, California Theatre, San Jose, United States

Rossini’s rollicking The Barber of Seville returns to Opera San José, offering an upbeat comedy for operagoers of all ages. Subtitled “The Useless Precaution,” this opera buffa introduces the rapscallion barber Figaro, who uses all his wiles to assist the love-struck Count Almaviva in liberating his true love Rosina from the clutches of her guardian, Dr. Bartolo. A comic masterpiece fizzing with entertaining hijinks and memorable melodies, initial casting includes a star turn by bass-baritone Dale Travis, recent winner of the San Francisco Opera Medal, as Dr. Bartolo and tenor Joshua Sanders returning as Count Almaviva. Mezzo-soprano Courtney Miller and bass-baritone Vartan Gabrielian round out the cast of this fast-paced comedy as Berta and Basilio, respectively, with additional casting to be announced. Opera San José Director of Music Joseph Marcheso will conduct.