What a recording this is! Witty, funny, grabs you, puts you in the middle of the action and doesn't let you go all the way to the end. You will find yourself cheering happily when it is over and you will think that these are the actual characters coming all the way from Seville to sing for you.
Everybody is in excellent shape but the real difference is made by the unity and the flawless unfolding of the intrigue. Every single role is convincing and consistent throughout the opera, the orchestra plays beautifully and supports with such energy and humor the voices. Callas is in perfect mood and in excellent voice. Her Rosina is the best available. Listen to "Una voce pocco fa" and be amazed by all the nuances you can find there. Mr. Gobbi is again the voice and the actor in one of his best recorded performances. I must agree with one of the reviewers in saying that his Figaro is the best on disc. He displays too a very beautiful voice and an amazing characterization of Figaro. Their duet in the first act is a glorious moment of recorded opera. They tell so much besides what their words are actually communicating. The rest of the cast comes nearly as equals and everybody seemed to understand the in the same way what this opera is about and what each and all of them have to say in it.
All in all it is a great recording. Great music making, solid and expressive characters, good and entertaining drama, good laughs everything the Barbiere should be in my opinion.
No comments:
Post a Comment