Natalie Dessay, flat iron in hand outlines with flourishes of the arm the highs and the lows of her impressive coloratura

Gary Lehman, who replaced the chronically ailing Ben Hepner, has a beautiful golden trumpet voice. His phrasing was superb and his acting first-rate

Especially wonderful in this especially wonderful cast was the Dr. Bartolo of Maurizio Mauro,....His strutting about the cat walk while chattering his lines in the first act aria had the audience rocking with laughter. Muraro’s comic timing and gestures were riveting.

Karita Mattila’s voice is not suited to the Italian repertoire. Although the middle range is sometimes beautiful, it is neither sumptuous nor supple and does not lend itself to the demands of a Puccini heroine.

An enchanting cast meets a grotesque PG-13 production

Although the ancient General Kutozov is described as weakened by age, it is important that his vocal part be sung in a strong and heroic way. Samuel Ramey cannot begin to accomplish this anymore in spite of the still beautiful quality of his voice.

Hasmik Papian made clear, as each of these presented itself, that she was sorely miscast. Her voice, although attractive at times, does not have the magnitude, the agility, or the beauty of tone absolutely necessary for a successful reading

What proved to be sublime indeed was the singing and acting of Željko Lučić in the title role.

The public, although appreciative of Borodina and Dobber, gave it’s most ecstatic rounds of applause to the Moorish dancers, and the plumed horses at their entrance in the “triumphal scene.”