’Tis the season to be schlocky, so how refreshing to be offered a generous helping of quality Rossini just in time for Christmas. And what better Rossini than The Barber of Seville? This “semi-staged” production in the superlative acoustics of Elisabeth Murdoch Hall glittered as bright as any bauble on a Christmas tree.

Brenton Spiteri and chorus in Victorian Opera’s The Barber of Seville. Photo © Nick Hanson

Rossini’s comic masterpiece deserves, or rather, demands excellent singers and Victorian Opera did not disappoint. Cast in the title role, VO regular, Jose Carbó was a witty Figaro, full of the joy of life and only too willing to help young lovers. Melbourne tenor, Brenton Spiteri was an ardent Almaviva whose passion was aided by a well produced upper register. He was well matched with Italian soprano, Chiara Amarù as Rosina, whose agile coloratura also impressed.

While all of the characters contribute to the opera’s madcap comedy, it is the caricatures that get the most laughs. More commonly associated with darker characters such as Alberich and Beckmesser, Warwick Fyfe was a hugely entertaining Dr Bartolo, revealing a penchant for comedy that makes me want...