After missing a performance of La Bohème due to a car accident between Parma and Bologna, I absolutely had to make it up to myself and return to this city I love so much (even though it’s the sworn enemy of my beloved Parma Calcio, haha!).
This time, not for Verdi or Puccini, but for a true classic of classics: The Barber of Seville.
I had almost forgotten—me, a true lover of drama—just how much you can laugh at the opera, how much you can literally double over in your seat, and experience a genuinely vibrant, living spectacle. And this is even more true at the Teatro Comunale di Bologna, where the proximity to the stage is so immediate that you sometimes feel like you’re actually on stage with the singers, performers, comedians, and artists.
It was an absolute joy to see this opera bring a breath of fresh air and genuine lightness to Emilia-Romagna. A perfect opera for the whole family and for all audiences, whether seasoned opera lovers or complete newcomers.
The cast sang as if it were a first performance together, yet you would swear they had known each other since childhood and were already at their thousandth show. Everything worked beautifully: no dull moments, time flew by, and you just wanted more.
I was so disappointed not to be able to see Nicola Alaimo, for me the best Barber of our time—but what a surprise it was when I heard the very first notes sung by Stefan Astakhov! This man has to be a native Italian speaker… or he must have spent 20 years doing comedy theatre before opera. He was hilarious and completely drove the evening from start to finish.
Antonino Siragusa more than deserved the applause after his final aria—without a doubt. A magnificent Rossinian tenor, and such a pleasure to hear live.
A very beautiful performance as well from the lovely and talented Chiara Tirotta as Rosina. Wearing her long yellow dress, her “Una voce poco fa” was sublime. She played with every detail of this wonderful staging, and it was an absolute delight to watch.
The funniest person of the evening was undoubtedly Giovanni Romeo as Bartolo. He had the audience laughing almost from beginning to end of the opera—the only moment he wasn’t funny… was when he wasn’t on stage. A true comic talent with a beautiful voice—simply irresistible.
And the “big voice” of the night goes to Andrea Pellegrini. If you follow my adventures, you know that bass voices always move me deeply—and this was no exception. I loved the “La calunnia” aria, I loved his expressive hand gestures throughout the opera, his humor, his interactions with the cast. I would love to hear him next in a Verdi role—why not Don Carlo?
Renato Palumbo delivered a flawless performance from the pit. Masterfully conducted—especially in Il Barbiere di Siviglia, a score most of us know by heart and listen to very attentively. A true masterclass in conducting.
Once again, a huge thank you to the Teatro Comunale di Bologna: impeccable welcome, smiling staff, passionate audience. I leave with so many great memories. Everything was just too good—too fun, too beautiful, such a fantastic atmosphere… maybe even the Coca-Cola was too expensive at €5—but I forgive them!
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CAST
IL CONTE DI ALMAVIVA
Antonino Siragusa
BARTOLO
Giovanni Romeo
ROSINA
Chiara Tirotta
FIGARO
Stefan Astakhov
BASILIO
Andrea Pellegrini
BERTA
Yulia Tkachenko
FIORELLO
Nicolò Ceriani
UN UFFICIALE
Marco Danieli
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DIRETTORE
Renato Palumbo
REGIA
Federico Grazzini
