Search - Rossini - Il Barbiere di Siviglia / Santi, Kasarova, Lanza, Macias, Ghiaurov, Chausson, Zurich Opera on DVD

A great performance from Vesselina Kasarova

Barry J. James | Honolulu, Hawaii United States | 12/22/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I most certainly agree with the Editorial comments above, Vesselina Kasarova is truly amazing in this work. Having been impressed by her performances in La Belle Helene and The Damnation of Faust I was eagerly awaiting her next work on DVD. Not only can she easily accomplish all the vocal demands of the role (her high notes are truly thrilling) but she also has great acting ability. Her timing, so necessary when working on a revolving stage, whose movement is not restricted to `between scenes' but is actually a completely integrated part of the choreography for the whole work, is accurate and assured. Her ability to perform complex acts of manual dexterity while singing a complicated aria is wonderful to see. While there is always plenty of movement on stage, it is never as distracting as the version directed by Dario Fo for the Netherlands Opera.

The updating of the opera to the beginning of the twentieth century seems entirely appropriate, though the first appearance of Count Almaviva riding a scooter is a little disconcerting at the start of the first act. There are no disappointments after that. The hero Figaro entering the stage on an antique motorcycle and sidecar is much better. Almaviva's two disguises seem quite believable. I enjoyed all of the supporting performances, none more so than Elizabeth Rae Magnuson as the Berta the maid. Her brief time on stage was memorable.

This is the best version of this popular work that I have heard. I was tempted to buy the Cecilia Bartoli version until I saw that it was stereo and not Surround Sound. I am glad I waited, as this is a wonderfully recorded opera, only occasionally are the noises of singers running across the stage more noticeable than one would really like. The orchestra conducted by Nello Santi reveals every small nuance of the music.

I enjoyed this opera very much and would put it on a par, musically and entertainment-wise, with that of another work by Rossini, `La Cenerentola' (Cecilia Bartoli version)."

Beautifully staged and well acted, an outstanding production

Robert G. Leroe | Saugus, MA USA | 07/21/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Everything about this production is outstanding--the photography, the creative set design, the use of color, the quality of the music and singing, the costumes, the attention to detail, and especially the acting. The cast is believable and obviously having a great time with it. I'd use this DVD to introduce someone to opera. I've seen other productions, and none can compare to this. My only complaint is the lack of extras which we've come to expect with our DVDs. I also have the Dutch version with all the extra comic pantomime, which is creative, but is a bit distracting from telling the story. I buy a lot of opera DVDs (much cheaper than buying a ticket) and this is one of the best I've seen."

Y una vez más... Un gran Barbiere

Annio mozartiano ;) | España | 02/23/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Esta es una version de 'Il Barbiere di Siviglia' de gran nivel, tanto en lo vocal como en lo visual.
El reparto lo encabeza una VESSELINA KASAROVA que traza una Rosina plena de medios vocales y coqueta de actuacion. Bien secundada está la Kasarova por el divertido y bien cantado Figaro de MANUEL LANZA y por el sobresaliente Doctor Bartolo del siempre genial CARLOS CHAUSSON y el gran Don Basilio del ya veterano NICOLAI GHIAUROV. El equipo de secundarios rinde a un gran nivel, especialmente la soprano que interpreta a Berta.
Pero ¿Y Almaviva, el protagonista masculino de la obra? Cae en manos de REINALDO MACIAS, que no tiene su mejor dia y realiza una interpretacion vocal muy discreta, con los agudos forzados y la coloratura no apta.
Muy bien la orquesta dirigida por el tambien veterano NELLO SANTI, que impone su larga experiencia una vez mas, ahora en Rossini.
La version que se presenta es la habitual (con los cortes habituales) es decir: falta el recitativo de Fiorello que cierra el cuadro 1 del acto I (pocos lo echaran en falta) y el aria para Almaviva 'Cessa di piu resistere en el acto II (visto el estado de Macias lo mejor es que falte la pagina). Falta tambien el aria para Rosina 'Ah se e ver che in tal momento' en el acto II, pero no es de extrañar, siendo la Kasarova una mezzosoprano. En fin, no hay ninguna falta especialmente grave.
¿Y la puesta en escena? Actual e ingeniosa nos presenta una serie de abanicos giratorios que presentan calles y distintas habitaciones de la casa del Doctor Bartolo, acertadamente situada aqui en el siglo XX. Una puesta en escena francamente divertida que termina de redondear una muy interesante version del 'Barbiere'."