Rossini: Il Barbiere di Siviglia [The Barber of Seville] (complete opera recorded in 2009) BLU-RAY

 
Rossini: Il Barbiere di Siviglia [The Barber of Seville] (complete opera recorded in 2009) BLU-RAY cover $35.00 Low Stock add to cart

GIOACCHINO ROSSINI
Rossini: Il Barbiere di Siviglia [The Barber of Seville] (complete opera recorded in 2009) BLU-RAY
Royal Opera House / Joyce DiDonato, Juan Diego Florez, Pietro Spagnoli, Ferruccio Furlanetto / Antonio Pappano (cond)

[ Erato / Warner Classics Blu-ray / Blu-ray Disc ]

Release Date: Sunday 1 November 2015

This item is only available to us via Special Import.

Rated: G - Films, Videos, and Publications Classification Act 1993Suitable for General Audiences

This DVD is in fact the "break a leg" version which sees Joyce DiDonato perform her role in a wheelchair - a story which has occupied international headlines last year - and definitely a DVD which will stand out. The DVD will include bonus features like an interview with Joyce on her stage accident and subsequent wheelchair performances.

Captured at London's Royal Opera House with an unbeatable cast in a sparkling, colourful production, this Barbiere offers a unique dramatic twist: Joyce DiDonato, who had broken her leg on the first night of the run, insisted on performing. As she said : "Being trapped in the wheelchair was a quite literal way of demonstrating Rosina's huge desire to break free."

"The Royal Opera's cheerful and colourful new production of Rossini's most popular work is a copper- bottomed hit." The Daily Telegraph

"Antonio Pappano's conducting brings back the genuine Italian frisson of sprung rhythms, banda-like colour and prominence of wind and brass, and real tension (but lack of fake hurry) in crescendos. The singing here, and its ornamentation, operates on a high level indeed, much aided in naturalness by the conducting...All in all, the evening is a musical triumph." Gramophone Magazine, June 2010

"This very likely is the strongest Barber cast I've ever seen. DiDonato, wheelchair or not, is a dream Rosina, vocally flawless and always in good taste (with embellishments that are all her own), emphasizing words and feelings that others miss, reacting to those around her as if the plot were actually happening in real time. And the sound is creamy and luscious from top to bottom, with a trill to die for." (10/10 ClassicsToday.com)

"Juan Diego Florez is the Almaviva of one's dreams, vocally and musically impeccable...and an actor of enormous charm and intelligence, whilst in the title role Pietro Spagnoli offers warmth and personality to spare...Patrice Caurier and Moshe Leiser's production, a blend of ancient and modern visuals, matches the music-making perfectly" BBC Music Magazine, August 2010 *****

"An outstanding sung and acted performance that converted adversity into unmitigated triumph. It goes straight to the top of the list." (MusicWeb July 2010)

"Vocally outstanding as Count Almaviva is the bel canto master Flórez, clearly relishing the role of the lovesick and irrepressible nobleman with a penchant for disguise. Such a natural on stage it looks like the Peruvian is having a ball opposite Joyce DiDonato." (MusicWeb March 2016)