Il Barbiere Di Siviglia is my personal favourite of Rossini's operas, though I am very fond of William Tell and La Cenerentola as well. I saw this production as I've always liked Nello Santi's conducting, I loved Carlos Chausson's Bartolo in the 2002 production, I am a big fan of Nicolai Ghiaurov and I heard much about how good Vasselina Kasarova was. And while not my favourite Barbiere like the Ponnelle film, the Baroli/Quillico, Nucci/Battle and Madrid productions, it is very enjoyable. It may have some touches that make you question what period the production is set in, most notably Figaro arriving on a motor cycle and while well done technically and vocally the Almaviva of Reinaldo Macias was rather bland and lacked wit.
Much redeemed it though. The costumes and sets are mostly very colourful, made more enjoyable by the sharp picture quality and unobtrusive camera work. Musically, it is truly excellent, with lively orchestral playing(Largo Al Factotum and the finale to Act 1 were the standouts) and knowing conducting from Nello Santi. Both finales are exuberant and not too cluttered, with well balanced ensemble singing. The staging apart from some questionable touches are fun and colourful. Macias aside, the performances are great. Manuel Lanza is not one of my favourite Figaros ever but he is thoroughly decent, charming and dapper and he handles the range well. Nicolai Ghiaurov has given better performances before in his long career, but still makes for a very good Basilio even at 71/72, darkly funny with a still sumptuous timbre to his voice. Elisabeth Rae Magnuson's Berta is wholly memorable, I have found the character forgettable before but Magnuson's sweet clarity and appealing stage presence ensures that doesn't happen. The two best performances come from Vasselina Kasarova and Carlos Chausson. Kasarova's low notes positively purr and her high notes are huge and soaring, and overall her Rosina is a very sexy one indeed. Chausson's Bartolo is the very definition of comically wicked, and he has a lovely, characterful voice.
All in all, enjoyable if not my favourite Barbiere. 8/10 Bethany Cox
