Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Sinfonia - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
2. Act One, Scene One: Piano, Pianissimo, Senza Parlar
3. Act One, Scene One: Ecco Ridente In Cielo
4. Act One, Scene One: Ehi, Fiorello?... Mio Signore
5. Act One, Scene One: Mille Grazie, Mio Signore
6. Act One, Scene One. Recitativo: Gente Indiscreta!
7. Act One, Scene One: La Ran La Le Ra... Largo Al Factotum - Sesto Bruscantini
8. Act One, Scene One. Recitativo: Ah, Che Bella Vita!
9. Act One, Scene One. Recitativo: Non E Venuto Ancora
10. Act One, Scene One. Recitativo: Le Vostre Assidue Premure
11. Act One, Scene One: Se Il Mio Nome Saper Voi Bramate
12. Act One, Scene One. Recitativo: Oh, Cielo!... Nella Stanza Convien
13. Act One, Scene One: All'idea Di Quel Metallo
14. Act One, Scene One: Piano, Piano... Un'altra Idea!
15. Act One, Scene One: Oh, Il Meglio Mi Scordavo
16. Act One, Scene One: Ah, Che D'amore La Fiamma Io Sento
17. Act One, Scene Two: Una Voce Poco Fa - Victoria De Los Angeles
18. Act One, Scene Two. Recitativo: Si, Si, La Vincero - Victoria De Los Angeles
19. Act One, Scene Two. Recitativo: Ah, Disgraziato Figaro! - Victoria De Los Angeles
20. Act One, Scene Two. Recitativo: Ah! Barbiere D'inferno - Ian Wallace
21. Act One, Scene Two: La Calunnia E Un Venticello - Carlo Cava
22. Act One, Scene Two. Recitativo: Ah! Che Ne Dite? - Ian Wallace
23. Act One, Scene Two. Recitativo: Ma Bravi! Ma Benone! - Victoria De Los Angeles
24. Act One, Scene Two: Dunque Io Son - Victoria De Los Angeles
25. Act One, Scene Two: Fortunati Affetti Miei - Victoria De Los Angeles
26. Act One, Scene Two. Recitativo: Ora Mi Sento Meglio - Victoria De Los Angeles
27. Act One, Scene Two: A Un Dottor Della Mia Sorte - Ian Wallace

Disc 2:

1. Act One, Scene Two: Finora In Questa Camera
2. Act One, Scene Two: Ehi, Di Casa, Buona Gente
3. Act One, Scene Two: Ah, Venisse, Il Caro Oggetto
4. Act One, Scene Two: Dunque, Lei Vuol Battaglia?
5. Act One, Scene Two: Che Cosa Accadde
6. Act One, Scene Two: Fermi Tutti. Nessun Si Mova
7. Act One, Scene Two: Fredda Ed Immobile
8. Act One, Scene Two: Ma Signor... Ma Un Dottor
9. Act Two: Recitativo: Ma Vedi Il Mio Destino! - Ian Wallace
10. Act Two: Pace E Gioia Sia Con Voi
11. Act Two: Recitativo: Insomma, Mio Signore
12. Act Two: Recitativo: Venite, Signorina
13. Act Two: Contro Un Cor Che Accende Amore
14. Act Two: Recitativo: Bella Voce! Bravissima!
15. Act Two: Quando Mi Sei Vicina - Ian Wallace
16. Act Two: Recitativo: Bravo, Signor Barbiere
17. Act Two: Don Basilio!... Cosa Veggo!
18. Act Two: Buona Sera, Mio Signore
19. Act Two: Orsu, Signor Don Bartolo
20. Act Two: Che Vecchio Sospettoso! - Laura Sarti
21. Act Two: Il Vecchiotto Cerca Moglie - Laura Sarti
22. Act Two: Recitativo: Dunque Voi Don Alonso - Ian Wallace
23. Act Two: Recitativo: Per Forza O Per Amore Rosina - Victoria De Los Angeles
24. Act Two: Thunderstorm - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
25. Act Two: Recitativo: Alfine Eccoci Qua
26. Act Two: Ah, Qual Colpo Inaspettato!
27. Act Two: Zitti, Zitti, Piano, Piano
28. Act Two: Recitativo: Ah, Disgraziati Noi!
29. Act Two: Recitativo: Insomma Io Ho Tutti I Torti - Victoria De Los Angeles
30. Act Two: Di Si Felice Innesto

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #54569 in Music
• Released on: 2002-03-11
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 141 minutes

Customer Reviews

Unfairly underrated. WHY???
This recroding of barbiere is one of the best recordings of the opera. However, no one ever mentions it on lists of the best recordings of the opera. This is just severely unfair.
Gui is a proven Rossinian and his direction here is probably the best on record. De los Angeles is a sweet, lyrical and above all, charming Rosina.
Alva's Almaviva (his second recording of the role) is good. He is in excellent form throughout.
Bruscantini is a superb Figaro. He is so funny that the first time I heard this, I just could not stop laughing. Buy this recording, and you will not be dissapointed.

bubbling barbiere
This has the fizz and sparkle of a live recording with all the benefits of a studio set. Gui and his enchanting cast were the first to strip the opera down and return to something nearer the composers intentions. Although by modern standards this is not a "critical" edition or a period instrument performance it is surely closer than most recordings to the spirit of of the piece.

Many cuts are opened up and the singing, while discreetly decorated is never vulgar or out of character. The sense of ensemble, so necessary in this opera, creates a feeling of openhearted joy. this is such a happy performance, filled with latin sunshine and high spirits.

As Rosina, De Los Angeles is adorable, the pretty and plump heroine to the letter. Although a soprano there are no show off embellishments, and (thank heavens) no ridiculous high e's. She sings the original mezzo version, which is perfectly suited to her darker, smoky voice, while the top notes have a brilliance that mezzo's find hard to muster. As always with this glorious singer the enthusiasm is infectious. She has excellent comic timing (As in the scene where she tries to conjure an excuse to her guardian for using a pen for writing to her would-be lover - exquisite)and brings rich and warm, often sensual, tone to her part.

Alva's Almaviva is in good form too. He also recorded the role with Callas, but here he's in more balanced company. Bruscantini's Figaro is not too hammy nor too reticent, a good balance that can be lived with. And the whole cast pull together it seems to create the special atmosphere necessary to really preserve something special. A great recording of the century it certainly is, for it was the beginning of a Rossini Revolution in which his works were reassessed. But above all, and most importantly, this recording is FUN!