Claudio Abbado brings a revelatory touch to this performance of Il barbiere di Siviglia, elevating Rossini's beloved comedy from routine repertory fare to a fully realized masterpiece. His conducting is light, buoyant, and full of rhythmic vitality.

The cast rises brilliantly to the occasion, with Luis Alva offering a flawlessly sung Count Almaviva, full of elegance and agility. Fernando Corena is an ideal Bartolo—booming, blustering, and hilariously over-the-top, yet never losing control of the musical line. Together, they drive the comedy with precision and panache.