`BARBER' CUT OUT FOR ALL, SAYS ITALIAN CONDUCTOR.

Italian conductor Marco Guidarini is making his United States debut with the Los Angeles Music Center Opera's current production of ``The Barber of Seville,'' but he has a good sense of the cosmopolitan nature of Los Angeles.

``This is such a multicultural city, that something like opera can speak to everyone,'' he said. ``It's an exploding society, and despite L.A. being the city of the movies, there's a huge need and audience for classic opera.''

Since his 1986 debut at the Opera de Lyon leading Verdi's ``Falstaff,'' Guidarini has become a fixture at many of Europe's most important opera houses. He has been especially active in the United Kingdom, where he appeared with the English National Opera, the Scottish Opera, the Welsh National Opera and at various music festivals.

The L.A. Opera's ``Barber of Seville'' stars mezzo-soprano Jennifer Larmore as Rosina, ward of the elderly Bartolo. Rossini's popular comedy also involves Count Almaviva, who disguises himself as a commoner to court Rosina. He is frustrated by Bartolo, who wants Rosina's dowry for himself. The count goes to the barber, Figaro, for advice and pretends to be Rosina's substitute music teacher.

The opera will be performed tonight and at a matinee Saturday at the Music Center in Los Angeles. It can also be seen Tuesday and March 8 and 11.

In addition, the company will stage 35-minute English-language performances of ``Barber'' for children (ages 5 to 16) and adults at the Music Center on March 16. Cost is $35 per child, $60 for adults. This includes a performance; an all-day workshop in wig-making, instrument-making, costuming and makeup; plus lunch. Information: [phone].

While new to L.A., the current production of ``Barber'' was previously staged by the Cologne Opera.

``There's a dazzling quality to the music,'' Guidarini said. ``It doesn't seem to age. `Barber' is staged more and more all over the world. It seems very fresh - the story is an eternal one of a young woman and an older man. It relates to everyone. People can recognize themselves in the story. I think that's true for all the classic operas.''

As for Larmore, whom Guidarini has worked with in the past, she is ``probably the best mezzo-soprano in the world,'' he said.

The role of Rosina requires a first-rate voice and comic timing, the conductor explained.

``When you perform Italian comedy, you need both,'' Guidarini said. ``If you are simply a good singer, it's not enough. You need a certain brightness and sense of humor.''

Guidarini's impression of the young L.A. Opera company is highly favorable.

``The passion, talent and enthusiasm is on a very high level,'' he said. ``This may be my first time here, but I hope it won't be my last.''

THE FACTS

What: The Los Angeles Music Center Opera's production of Rossini's ``The Barber of Seville.''

Where: Music Center, 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles.

When: 7:30 tonight, Tuesday, and March 8 and 11; 1 p.m. Saturday.

Tickets: $23 to $130.

Information: [phone].

CAPTION(S):

2 Photos

Photo: (1) Bruce Ford as Count Almaviva, left, Jennifer Larmore as Rosina, John Del Carlo as Dr. Bartolo and Rodney Gilfry as barber Figaro in the Los Angeles Music Center Opera production of ``The Barber of Seville.''

(2) ``There's a dazzling quality to the music. It doesn't seem to age,'' conductor Marco Guidarini says of ``The Barber of Seville.''