…we have all behaved as the characters in Figaro
do. That is the beauty of Opera Pacific's production. It trusts us to get it. One could call the
production, which originated at the Banff Festival and is directed here by Tim Ocel, straightforward,
even plain, but that wouldn't do it justice. Call it elegantly simple and quietly understanding. …
Judgment isn’t passed. Lubitsch could have directed this. …this approach…never obscures Mozart's music,
which just happens to be pretty good. … The excellent cast—perhaps taking cue—forge a true ensemble and
stay within their roles. The principals are characterized by freshness of voice, confident acting and
unselfish singing. more...
Le Nozze di Figaro
Opera Pacific, 2000
…this Figaro was so lithe and airy, so swift and
funny, so wonderfully sung that only an incurable curmudgeon could complain about its length. … Perhaps
it was thanks to the influence of stage director Tim Ocel (replacing an ailing Colin Graham) that
Bernstein's comic persona never stooped to easy slapstick. Humanity counted more than shtick.
...soprano Christine Brandes too avoided superfluous comedy …scenes blended into one another like
lightning, and although the show was not overtly played for laughs, the opening night audience was in
stitches through-out. more...