Search - Rossini, Araiza, Baltsa :: il Barbiere Di Siviglia (Barber of Seville)

Boffo Buffa!

Johannes Marlena | Los Angeles, CA | 02/19/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Gobbi-Callas-Alva collaboration has long been the measuring stick for any recording of the beloved Barber of Seville, Rossini's opera buffa populist masterpiece - but it's time to move on. Marriner provides here a taut, genuinely hilarious, entertaining and fresh production that perfectly suits modern tastes and truly feels like you were watching it on the stage. Who knew Marriner could have this much fun? And his ensemble is beyond reproach, beautiful of voice and articulation, and attractive in their coloratura. Likewise, the playing and support of the chamber orchestra-size ASMF is flawless - and in gorgeous Philips sound too. Whereas Gobbi, Callas et al. were larger-than-life in their characterizations, these singer-actors communicate the human element in these broad characters without losing the comic scale of the dell'arte style - and what wonderful actors they are! Allen as Figaro is far greater than a caricature and to my tastes even better than Gobbi (sacrilege!); you believe it when Baltsa as Rosina sings in her famous aria "Una voce poco fa" that "I can have a viper's sting...Be on your guard!"; Araiza is a virile Almaviva; Trimarchi draws rare sympathy as the pompous fop who is Bartolo. It bears repeating that this cast is a true ensemble - not a gathering of superstars - and the chemistry they generate is magic. They even manage to make the recitatives highly dramatic and, for once, not merely filler between all the great arias, duets and ensembles. Act One sounds very much like the greatest first Act in all of opera, which in fact it is - a nonstop run of some of the most famous, most inspired vocal music in all of opera ... pure delight! A woefully underrated performance, and a must for every collection. *****



Other references: High recommendation from Penguin Guide & Jim Svejda's classical guides"

I agree with the other (5 star) reviewers...

J. B. Robert | Murphy, NC USA | 04/24/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I agree with the other (5 star) reviewers and can add nothing to their erudite reviews. Listen to the end of Act 1 and ask yourself if you have EVER heard an orchestra and chorus with the force and drive like this one. If it doesn't stir you to the core, you better check your pulse.

(I also have the Callas, Berganza and Peters recordings)."