Rossini: Il Barbiere di Siviglia [The Barber of Seville] (Complete Opera recorded in 1957)

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GIOACCHINO ROSSINI
Rossini: Il Barbiere di Siviglia [The Barber of Seville] (Complete Opera recorded in 1957)
Maria Callas, Tito Gobbi, Luigi Alva / Philharmonia Chorus & Philharmonia Orchestra, Alceo Galliera

[ Warner Classics Maria Callas Remastered / 2 CD ]

Release Date: Wednesday 10 December 2014

As she demonstrated in both Il barbiere di Siviglia and Il turco in Italia, Callas, the great tragedienne, could also turn her skills to comedy. As it happened, the 1956 La Scala production of Rossini's most popular opera did not prove a great success with audiences, but its stars - Callas, Tito Gobbi and Luigi Alva - reassembled in London the following year for this recording. Callas sang the role of Rosina at its original mezzo-soprano pitch and her version of 'Una voce poco fa' - punctuated by an unforgettable 'ma' ('but') in the cabaletta - is a miracle of both elegance and wit.

"If a criticism is to be made of Callas's Rosina, it is lack of warmth. But there is much to admire, as there is in Alva's Count, Gobi's Barolo and Galleria's conducting." BBC Music Magazine, November 2007 ****

"She turns in a buoyant, joyful performance. Tito Gobbi's Figaro and Luigi Alva's Almaviva also came from the Scala production, and their experienced teamwork adds considerably to the whole achievement. Galliera's idiomatic conducting gives the singers first-class support." Gramophone Magazine

This performance of Il barbiere di Siviglia was recorded in 1957 at the Kingsway Hall, London.