Historic Performance from the MET
Saturday, 2 October 2010 , 19.00

Shaping artistic destinies for almost two centuries now and defining, time and time again, the notion of what a ‘star’ is, guarding the ‘legends’ against oblivion and meeting everyone’s taste, Gioachino Rossini’s Barber is, without a doubt, the opera that has had one of the most spectacular careers in music history. Il barbiere di Siviglia, ossia L'inutile precauzione has had, at times, stunning or, on other occasions, modest performances, on all the stages of lyric theatres – more or lesser known. This opera is performed hundreds, if not thousands, of times each season. The archives abound in legendary interpretations – some of which remain a standard and are yet to be matched.

The Metropolitan Opera House Archive in New York contains no less than thirty-eight performances of Il barbiere di Siviglia! As far as I am concerned, the one staged on April 7th 1973 is the best rendition. Conducted by James Levine, it features baritone Hermann Prey as Figaro (photo), mezzo-soprano Marilyn Horne as Rosina, tenor Enrico Di Giuseppe as Count Almaviva, bass Fernando Corena as Bartolo and Giorgio Tozzi as Don Basilio. If you are wondering why it is such a remarkable performance, you can find out on Saturday, when Radio Romania Music will be airing this recording. It is going to be an unforgettable Evening at the Opera!

 

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