This album is included in the following sets:
This set contains the following albums:
- Producer's Note
- Full Track Listing
- Cover Art
When this Glyndebourne Il barbiere di Siviglia was first released in 1962 it immediately established itself as one of the most stylish and musically satisfying accounts of Rossini’s comedy on disc. More than six decades later it remains a model of balance, intelligence and theatrical poise.
Vittorio Gui was steeped in the Italian operatic tradition, yet his Rossini is never coarse or over-driven. Tempi are alert but never breathless, ensembles are finely judged, and the wit emerges through clarity rather than exaggeration. The performance trusts Rossini’s craftsmanship. The humour is allowed to arise naturally from rhythm, articulation and character.
At its centre stands Sesto Bruscantini’s Figaro, a portrayal of elegance rather than bluster. His “Largo al factotum” is brilliantly articulated, alive with verbal point, yet always musical. He is less a swaggering barber than an intelligent facilitator, moving deftly between intrigue and charm.
Victoria de los Angeles brings warmth and humanity to Rosina. Her “Una voce poco fa” is shaped with lyrical grace rather than vocal display, and throughout she suggests a young woman of quick intelligence and emotional depth. Luigi Alva’s Count Almaviva complements her perfectly, singing with refinement and stylistic ease.
The supporting cast is no less distinguished. Ian Wallace’s Bartolo avoids caricature, Carlo Cava’s Basilio is darkly resonant, and the smaller roles are taken with the same care that characterises the entire enterprise. The Glyndebourne Festival Chorus and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra respond to Gui with playing of transparency and rhythmic lift.
Recorded at Abbey Road Studios in September 1962, the original EMI production captured the performance with notable clarity. In this XR remastering the tonal palette has been subtly rounded and naturalised while preserving that clarity. The sound retains its immediacy but gains a touch of warmth, allowing the voices and orchestra to breathe more freely.
The result is a Barbiere that continues to feel fresh, civilised and theatrically alive. If Rossini’s comedy depends on precision and proportion, this recording understands both. It is not merely a classic of the catalogue, but a performance that still speaks directly to the listener today.
disc one: 71:22
1. Sinfonia (7:34)
Act 1, Scene 1
2. Piano, pianissimo, senza parlar (3:02)
3. Ecco ridente in cielo (4:21)
4. Ehi, Fiorello? … Mio signore (1:10)
5. Mille grazie, mio signore (1:51)
6. Recitativo: gente indiscreta! (0:29)
7. La ran la le ra … Largo al factotum (4:45)
8. Recitativo: Ah che bella vita! (6:03)
9. Se il mio nome saper voi bramate (2:55)
10. Recitativo: Oh, cielo! … Nella stanza convien (1:10)
11. All’idea di quel metallo (3:05)
12. Piano, piano … Un’altra idea! (2:00)
13. Oh, il meglio mi scordavo (1:41)
14. Ah, che d’amore la fiamma io sento (1:31)
Act 1, Scene 2
15. Una voce poco fa (5:29)
16. Recitativo: Sì, sì, la vincerò (4:36)
17. La calunnia è un venticello (4:29)
18. Recitativo: Ah! Che ne dite? (3:20)
19. Dunque io son (2:56)
20. Fortunati affetti miei (2:08)
21. Recitativo: Ora mi sento meglio (1:29)
22. A un dottor della mia sorte (5:18)
disc two: 69:50
1. Finora in questa camera (0:33)
2. Ehi, di casa, buona gente (2:50)
3. Ah, venisse, il caro oggetto (2:45)
4. Dunque, lei vuol battaglia? (3:29)
5. Che cosa accadde (2:19)
6. Fermi tutti. Nessun si mova (1:22)
7. Fredda ed immobile (3:44)
8. Ma signor … ma un dottor (5:02)
Act 2
9. Recitativo: ma vedi il mio destino! (0:49)
10. Pace e gioia sia con voi (2:27)
11. Recitativo: insomma, mio signore (2:53)
12. Contro un cor che accende amore (5:15)
13. Recitativo: bella voce! Bravissima! (0:38)
14. Quando mi sei vicina (1:05)
15. Recitativo: bravo, signor barbiere (2:47)
16. Don Basilio! … Cosa veggo! (4:29)
17. Buona sera, mio signore (1:55)
18. Orsù, signor don bartolo (3:34)
19. Che vecchio sospettoso! (0:34)
20. Il vecchiotto cerca moglie (3:40)
21. Recitativo: dunque voi Don Alonso (3:01)
22. Temporale (2:59)
23. Ah, qual colpo inaspettato! (4:31)
24. Zitti, zitti, piano, piano (1:28)
25. Recitativo: ah disgraziati noi! (2:22)
26. Di sì felice innesto (2:18)
CAST
Figaro – Sesto Bruscantini
Rosina – Victoria de los Angeles
Il conte d’Almaviva – Luigi Alva
Don Basilio – Carlo Cava
Dr Bartolo – Ian Wallace
Berta – Laura Sarti
Fiorello – Duncan Robertson
Ambrogio – Harold Williams
Un ufficiale – John Rhys Evans
Glyndebourne Festival Chorus
Chorus Master: Myer Fredman
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Conducted by Vittorio Gui
XR remastered by Andrew Rose
Total duration: 2hr 21:14
