SIMPLY A MUST!

While not ideal, this Barber pleases at a well-above-average level. Teresa Berganza dispenses aural balm as a sunnily charming Rosina, ideally partnered with Luis Alva's featherweight Almaviva. By contrast, Peter Glossop's bluff, Verdian baritone is out of its element, hitting one note out of three in triplets. Joseph Rouleau is a capable Don Basilio but it is Sir Geraint Evans who threatens to steal the show with his put-upon Dr. Bartolo. Silvio Varviso conducts with somewhat overemphatic accents but does not spoil the fun. The sound is excellent.

Loved this performance. Berganza as always is immaculate, Alva has plenty charm but the coloratura is not great and Glossop is clearly working very hard as Figaro, but there’s a great feeling in this performance and the audience clearly are having a ball. As Andy says, that first act finale goes at quite a lick!

Teresa Berganza was just becoming well-known in 1967. She had recorded or would soon record this opera in the studio with her conductor here Varviso. She is magnificent: the coloratura spotless and exciting, the charm effortless. It's no surprise the Covent Garden is so enthusiastic about her. She sings Rossini's own "Contro un cor" in the lesson scene.The other singers all know their roles well and are obviously enjoying themselves. Luigi Alva was the Almaviva almost everywhere at this time. He is winning, but it must be admitted his coloratura is smeary and effortful. He later improved his passagework considerably. Glossop shows terrific enthusiasm and has the audience in the palm of his hand. He gets all the high notes and gives a solid performance, but is miscast in a role that requires more vocal bravura. Rouleau is a sturdy, oily Basilio with good low notes. Evans is a funny Bartolo who brings dignity to a role that is often "camped up". His patter is accurate and amusing. Elisabeth Bainbridge makes something distinctive of Berta, contributing a well-sung rendition of her aria. Varviso was terrific in Rossini and leads a spritely, entertaining performance. The sound is excellent. Today's singers sing Rossini's coloratura better than these singers (except for Berganza) yet this is a fine souvenir of a style that is long gone.

Peter Glossop portrays a very confident, proud and clever Barber. His baritone is powerful with beautiful timbre. Silvio Varviso keeps everybody on focused throughout the performance and provides one of the krispiest executions of this masterpiece. What a pity to miss out on the visuals. The audience had great fun. Quality very good. Thank you.

Very theatrical and effective performance right down to comprimarios, especially Glynne Thomas as Fiorello. Peter Glossop as Figaro is perhaps a little hard-driven, but perhaps it is a fault in the right direction from an singer who was never less than wholehearted. Overall the whiff of greasepaint and theatricality comes across vividly in this release.

This is a thoroughly enjoyable performance of Rossini’s masterpiece. Berganza is a lovely lively Rosina and Glossop a splendid Figaro. Geraint Evans gives us full reign of his operatic and comedic talents. The orchestra under the direction of Varviso has just the right sparkle and the sound quality is excellent considering how old the recording is.

Excellent overall