I said, "Let's change that." And we did! We got dressed up (optional!) and made our way to the Minnesota Opera's The Barber of Seville, which will be onstage at the Ordway from May 3-18, 2025. If you don't have a lot of opera experience or know someone who could use a friendly introduction to the art form, this production is the perfect way to dive in!
The Barber of Seville, at the Ordway Music theater in Saint Paul, is packed with comedy, colorful characters, and music you’ll recognize even if you’ve never seen an opera before. The story is easy to follow (with English super titles projected above the stage), the energy is infectious, and the performances are both playful and impressive. It's approachable for newcomers while still delighting longtime opera fans. I've seen this opera at least once before and this production is one I won't forget.
I have a lot of favorites from this experience, but I want to point out the scenery, the costumes, the beautiful music and the comedic physical acting of Don Basilio (played by Stefan Egerstrom when I saw the show) as especially delightful.
Just a reminder that my blog posts are reflective of my experience! I'm not paid to review shows, but I do (like in this instance) receive free tickets. Please check out my colleague Rob's experience here at the Stages of Minnesota blog: The Barber of Seville is a Comedic Delight at the Minnesota Opera:
"The challenge for the singers in our production is to combine these corporeally specific Commedia-based performance skills with the equally demanding vocal techniques of Opera, finding the proper balance."
~ CHUCK HUDSON, STAGE DIRECTOR
ticket Information: "THE BARBER OF SEVILLE" though 5/18/25
Approximate Run Time: 2 hours and 47 minutes with 1 intermission Sung in Italian with English captions projected above the stage. Creative Team Principal Conductor – Christopher Franklin Director – Chuck Hudson Scenic Designer – Allen Moyer Costume Designer – Mathew LeFebvre Lighting Designer – Eric Watkins Hair and Makeup Designer – Emma Gustafson Intimacy Director – Doug Scholz-Carlson Assistant Stage Director – Margaret Jumonville | Ordway Music Theater 345 Washington St St Paul, MN 55102 |
Rosina – Katherine Beck (May 3, 8, 11, 17)
Rosina – Kara Morgan (May 4, 10, 18)*
Count Almaviva – Lunga Eric Hallam (May 3, 8, 11, 17)
Count Almaviva – David Walton (May 4, 10, 18)˚
Figaro – Takaoki Onishi (May 3, 8, 11, 17)
Figaro – David Wolfe (May 4, 10, 18)*
Doctor Bartolo – Matthew Anchel (May 3, 8, 11, 17)
Doctor Bartolo – Andrew Wilkowske (May 4, 10, 18)˚
Don Basilio – Stefan Egerstrom
Berta – Katherine Henly
Fiorello – John Mburu*