If I may digress for a moment, I'd like to talk about Webber's work. It consists of little more than special effects and sensationalism. The most memorable tune in the whole show (Music of the Night) is stolen from Puccini's La Fanciulla del West. But why am I so onery about Webber? Is it because when I tell people I love opera, they commonly counter with, `Oh, me too...I love Phantom of the Opera? Probably. End of rant.
Anyway, the performance began with a fine rendition of the overture, followed by the set for the first scene: an elaborate exterior of Bartolo's house (with an unfortunately sticky door that earned Bartolo unintended laughter later on). Euro Nava, the Count of the evening sang with both grace and power; although all of the singers were at least good, Nava won vocal honors for the night; surely a rare experience for the tenor in this role.
Mark Pedrotti was also quite good as Figaro, if a little self-consciously funny. Still, he seemed to regain his dignity when he sang with the ultra-dignified Nava.
Copyright 1996 by Dale G. Abersold