Spotlight: "The Barber of Seville"

Opening: Minnesota Opera shifts gears for its final offering of the season. From the new and unfamiliar "Adventures of Pinocchio," we go to Rossini's "The Barber of Seville," familiar both on its own terms and for its insinuation into pop culture. Remember Alfalfa on "The Little Rascals" intoning seriously, "I am the barber of Seville" over and over? Then, of course, there's that fabulously famous aria "Largo al factotum." Doesn't ring a bell? Hmmmmm, ever heard the lyric, "Figaro, Figaro, Figarooo!" This awareness makes the comic "Barber" a good entry point for opera goers. The Minnesota production double-casts baritones James Westman and John Boehr in the title role. Three performances were added to the opera's schedule, bringing the total to eight. Kevin Newbury directs, with Robert Wood conducting. (7:30 p.m. Sat. and Tue.-Thu. $20-$150. Ends April 19. Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, 5th and Washington Sts., St. Paul. 612-333-6669 or www.mnopera.org.)