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Il Barbiere di Siviglia
Sarah Caldwell was a mythic figure in the Boston operatic scene, achieving both notoriety for her vision and eccentric manner, which earned her both admirers and critics. In this performance, it is clear that she possessed a distinctive voice in the operatic world. Even when I found myself at odds with her interpretation of Rossini's style, I appreciated her challenge to rethink a piece I have come to know very well. The most remarkable aspect of this recording is its complete uncut nature. Caldwell even has Beverly Sills interpolate "Ah vous dirai-je, Maman" and Rosina's rarely performed Act II aria, "L'innocenza di Lindoro." However, despite these unusual choices, the performance maintains its momentum throughout, as demonstrated by the enthusiastic reactions of the audience.
The success of the performance owes much to the spectacular cast, led by Beverly Sills, whose boundless energy and infectious sense of fun permeate the evening. Alan Titus presents a youthful and virile portrayal of Figaro, while Bruce Brewer sings the Count with effortless bravado, though his vocal tone is not to my personal taste.
Track List
Act I
1. Sinfonia
2. Piano, pianissimo, senza parlar
3. Ecco ridente in cielo
4. Mille grazie, mio signore
5. Largo al factotum della città!
6. Se il mio nome saper voi bramate
7. All'idea di quel metallo
8. Una voce poco fa
9. La calunnia
10. Dunque io sono
2. Piano, pianissimo, senza parlar
3. Ecco ridente in cielo
4. Mille grazie, mio signore
5. Largo al factotum della città!
6. Se il mio nome saper voi bramate
7. All'idea di quel metallo
8. Una voce poco fa
9. La calunnia
10. Dunque io sono
Act II
11. A un dottore della mia sorte
12. Ehi, di casa, buona gente...
13. Ecco qua! Sempre un'istoria
14. Fredda ed immobile
15. Mi par d'esser con la testa
16. Ma vedi il mio destino!
17. Pace e gioia sia con voi
18. Contro un cor che accende amore
19. Ah vous dirai-je, Maman (Mozart)
20. Quando mi sei vicina, amabile Rosina...
12. Ehi, di casa, buona gente...
13. Ecco qua! Sempre un'istoria
14. Fredda ed immobile
15. Mi par d'esser con la testa
16. Ma vedi il mio destino!
17. Pace e gioia sia con voi
18. Contro un cor che accende amore
19. Ah vous dirai-je, Maman (Mozart)
20. Quando mi sei vicina, amabile Rosina...
Act III
21. Don Basilio!... Cosa veggo!
22. Orsù, Signor Don Bartolo
23. Il vecchio cerca moglie
24. Ah se è ver... L'innocenza di Lindoro
25. Temporale
26. Ah, qual colpo inaspettato!
27. Il Conte!... che mai sento!... Cessa di più resistere
28. Ah il più lieto, il più felice
29. Di sì felice innesto
22. Orsù, Signor Don Bartolo
23. Il vecchio cerca moglie
24. Ah se è ver... L'innocenza di Lindoro
25. Temporale
26. Ah, qual colpo inaspettato!
27. Il Conte!... che mai sento!... Cessa di più resistere
28. Ah il più lieto, il più felice
29. Di sì felice innesto
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4.3
Based on 3 reviews
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It's called The Barber of Seville, but Sills is the Star!
This was first time Sills sang Rosina though she had sung "Una voce poco fa" in her concerts for years. Sarah Caldwell, as was her wont, insisted on performing the opera not only complete, but ultra-complete adding two pieces for Sills: the Adam "Ah, vous dirai je Maman" Variations after "Contro un cor" and another aria in the second act that Rossini wrote for Rosina in a later performance. If that weren't enough, Sills snitches the tenor's final cabaletta as well! The audience adores her throughout, giving her an ovation at her first entrance even before she has sung a note. She is in good voice, displaying her usual brilliant coloratura and infectious good humor. The other singers are all excellent, if not quite on Sills' level vocally. Brewer's rather wispy tone may not please everyone, but he certainly can sing the coloratura, adding a number of top C's and a few D's as well. One can only imagine what he thought of Sills' purloining his music at the end. Titus is a charming, sexy Figaro who is almost as flexible as his prima donna. Gramm is a funny, yet dignified Bartolo and Teschler sings sturdily as Basilio. There must have been sight gags aplenty because the audience bursts out laughing many times during the music and is obviously having a great time.The sound is from an in-house tape, but the voices are always heard clearly over the orchestra. It all goes on a little long, but fans of Sills are in for a real treat!
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