Rossini: Il barbiere di Siviglia [The Barber of Seville] (complete opera)
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GIOACCHINO ROSSINI
Rossini: Il barbiere di Siviglia [The Barber of Seville] (complete opera)
Nicolai Gedda, Beverly Sills, Ruggero Raimondi, Sherrill Milnes, Renato Capecchi / London Symphony Orchestra, James Levine
[ Warner Classics Home of Opera / 2 CD ]
Release Date: Monday 1 May 2017
Shortly before becoming Music Director of the Metropolitan Opera, James Levine conducted this high-powered performance of Rossini's most popular comedy. The Met's charismatic star baritone, Sherrill Milnes, takes the title role and Beverly Sills, America's favourite prima donna and a bel canto specialist, is Rosina. Count Almaviva is sung by the ever-stylish Nicola Gedda, Ruggero Raimondi makes a splendidly resonant Don Basilio and, as Dr Bartolo, Renato Capecchi displays his mastery of comic style. There is even a great singer as Berta, the long-suffering maid: Italian mezzo Fedora Barbieri.
"Recorded in 1975 and recently re-issued at a bargain price, this recording of "Barbiere" is hard to beat for sheer, sportive fun, with everyone involved sounding like they're enjoying themselves. Here you have Sills, Milnes, Gedda, Renato Capecchi, and Ruggiero Raimondi, all at the height of their respective powers, and the young James Levine, all bounce and go with the first flush of success, conducting. How to pick highlights from highlights? Well, how about Milnes with a "Largo al Factotum" to rival Merrill and Ruffo's recordings for sheer abandon? And then there's Gedda, with the most feather-light "Ecco, Ridente" I have ever heard. Alas, the recording includes a synopsis, but no libretto. No real loss, though, when you consider what you're getting for the price: A vibrant performance full of fun and great music-making."
(Amazon.com)
