Rossini: Il barbiere di Siviglia

There is no shortage of recordings of Rossini's favourite opera. This budget-priced offering from Naxos has been highly rated in other places and, given its low price, I thought I'd give it a try.Unlike many other recordings, here we have a largely uncut performance - and with young, enthusiastic performers. The standard of playing is excellent and the cast clearly have great fun with sound effects - creaking doors and the like, helping to bring out the drama (and fun). Whether this will stand the test of repeated listening is debatable - I rather suspect it will start to grate over time.Anyway, if you want a good all-round recording with an "authentic" mezzo leading lady, then you can't go far wrong with this particular one... If (and for me, it's a very big IF) you can live with the warbling tone of Sonia Ganassi... Yes, I know Rossini wrote the part for a mezzo, but in my opinion, Gannasi's performance just doesn't match very comfortably with the supposed teenage heroine.Far better in my opinion, is Maria Callas' legendary performance for EMI, now remastered by Warner Classics in stereo, with an all-star cast (including a young Julian Bream playing the Count's guitar). Yes, this is an old recording from the 1950s with plenty of cuts - and with the (fashionable at the time) Soprano heroine - but there's far more to it than that. No one, I repeat, no one, brings out the viper quite like Maria Callas; she flicks effortlessly between the gentle, demure young lady - and the strident, determined rebel. With its fantastic cast, a dramatic sense of ensemble and sheer magic and joy - genuine joy, unsullied by special effects - this Callas recording would be my "Desert Island" choice.Back to Naxos: Despite the low price, Naxos do claim to offer a libretto. Sadly, this is only in Italian - so next to useless! It's also presented in Naxos' usual cheapskate design, with the text spilling over onto the back cover. Ugly!

I have never seen this on stage as it is not a favourite opera of mine bt Glyndebourne are staging it next year so I decided to get to know it better. I already had and enjoyed the Gui and Marriner sets both strongly cast and well played. I would not want to be without either but they do not quite grip me by the throat and pin me in my seat. I have bought four more sets and the first two have given me exactly what I was looking for. Spellbinding. One was the old mono EMI set with Alva Gobbi and Callas. Ah so THIS is how it should go!I had seen some favourable comment on this Naxos set. Over-hyped? I wondered. Er no. I got a mint copy from Zoverstocks for 19p and it must be the best bargain ever. You get Ramon Vargas in superb voice at the beginning of his career and a cast of singers of never less than excellent standard led by an inspired Willi Humbert exceptionally well recorded. A lot more recitative than in the EMI but really well done. The whole thing just fizzes. Do not take my word for it. Go see the reviews on Amazon.com. Then go buy it.

Excellent performances, wonderful ambience and gorgeous music.

great fun wonderful recording

Excellent.

Brilliant. Best recording in the current catalog and at Naxos price. Go for it.

This was rated in Gramophone as best recording, and so it is. I bought it some years ago & have never regretted it. All I can say is, that if you are a Rossini lover BUY IT! Also try the Naxos Tancredi with the brilliant Ewa Podles.Henry Webb