Product Details

• Actors: Rockwell Blake, Enzo Dara, Kathleen Battle, Leo Nucci, Ferruccio Furlanetto
• Directors: Brian Large
• Writers: Cesare Sterbini
• Format: Classical, Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Polygram Video
• VHS Release Date: March 14, 1992
• Run Time: 160 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6302311667
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #135,871 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Gioacchino Rossini's opera "Il Barbiere di Siviglia" (Melodramma buffo in due atti; Libretto/Livret: Cesare Sterbini) is performed here by Kathleen Battle (Rosina), Rockwell Blake (Il Conte d'Almaviva), Leo Nucci (Figaro), Enzo Dara (Bartolo), Ferruccio Furlanetto (Basilio), and the Metropolitan Opera Chorus and Orchestra conducted by Ralf Weikert. This VHS is a digital recording by Deutsche Grammophon Video and includes the first Metropolitan Opera performance of the Rodo Rinale "Cessa di piu' resistere" sung by Rockwell Blake. Running time: 161 minutes. In Italian, with English subtitles.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Delighful Perfomance of Rossini's Masterpiece, October 19, 2000

By 

M. Ramos - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rossini - Il barbiere di Seviglia (The Barber of Seville) / Ralf Weikert, The Metropolitan Opera [VHS] (VHS Tape)

From start to finish, this performance of Rossini's Il Barbiere di Siviglia from the Metropolitan Opera House sparkles with comedic flair and stunning virtuoso singing. If you really want to have an excellent Barbiere from both a musical and dramatic perspective, this is one of the best performances on video. The cast is simply a delight. Leo Nucci is captured in great voice and stage presence as Figaro, one of his best roles. "Largo al Factotum" is on this performance a real show stopper, with Nucci showcasing his vocal and scenic agility, projecting the text with expression and tossing some fine high A's. During the rest of the opera Nucci is always engaging, a Figaro both intelligent and funny. Kathleen Battle is the perfect soprano Rosina. Her singing here is a real lesson on bel canto. "Una voce poco fa" is really a perfect vehicle for Battle's brilliant high notes (up to Eflat) accurate coloratura with perfect evenness between registers and and a sweet and unforced sound, never shrill or forced. These vocal wonders are displayed during the whole opera, with another showpiece at the lesson scene, "Contro un cor", which Ms Battle ends with another perfect high Eflat. To complete her portrayal Battle is also on this video young, pretty, elegant and charming. An extraordinary souvenir of Battle's career. Rockwell Blake is definitively the Rossini tenor of the twentieth century. True, his sound is not the prettier one, but his virtousity and ringing high notes are without equal. Blake sings, for the first time in the Metropolitan Opera history, the very difficult aria "Cessa di più resistere" in a stunning way. Enzo Dara almost steals the show as Don Bartolo, with his very funny portrayal and very accurate patter. "A un dottor della mia sorte" is a real gem. Ferrucio Furlanetto completes the main cast with an engaging portrayal of Don Basilio. The secondary roles are fine and the sets and costumes are very good. In summary, this video is a must for all fans of Rossini, Nucci, Battle, Blake and a great moment from the Live from the Met telecasts. And it can be great introduction to opera for kids and adults alike.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Amazing TEN STARS, December 14, 2005

By 

C. Hackshaw "operamagic" (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rossini - Il barbiere di Seviglia (The Barber of Seville) / Ralf Weikert, The Metropolitan Opera [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I must admit that I never liked this opera even though it is touted as being one of bel canto's finest. I always went to Donizetti or Bellini for my bel canto fixation. However, there were several arias from this opera that I really enjoyed so I decided to buy this video as I am a huge fan of Ms. Battle. I swear it was a delight to watch this entire opera from start to finish and hence because of these fine singers, Il Barbiere di Seviglia is on my top ten list. Enough words cannot be spoken or written about the great singing. EVERYONE and I do mean EVERYONE were in great form and if for some they weren't, then superlatives do not exist to therefore speak of these singers.

For fans of Ms. Battle, if you weren't please with her studio recording, THIS IS FOR YOU!(Her studio version was great but the live performance way better. It was an otherwise great set and magnificent conducting from Abbado but Placido Domingo singing Figaro entirely spoiled the entire set for me. He has no business singing the role denying a true baritone a chance of some recording legacy. He has done over 100 roles but yet he wants more. A Tenor Figaro!! Ridiculous!!!)A soprano Rosina may not have been what Rossini have wanted but he would have more than likely reconsidered after hearing Ms. Battle. Her interpretation was amazing. Her on stage movement, lithe, elegant, exudering girlish charm with teenage defiance and cunning instinct. As for the singing..... the notes poured out of her mouth as if they were intended just for her; as if they feel only Ms Battle can do them justice for they are so wonderfully executed, rich in tone and timbre. Rarely do you see singers paired so beautifully with song that you see with Ms Battle. She did not over do the coloratura as most sopranos singing the role would but when she does go for those notes, she floats up to them with such ease and beauty. Surely a voice touched by the hands of someone greater than you and I. Her diction to boot, was clear, clean and wonderfully Italianate (in my opinion) throughout even when she rolled of the coloratura. Her singing always leave even her bashers speechless. She has the vocal chops to back up her infamous diva tendencies as is quite evident here. I was clapping before the opera finished as she at the opera's finale added some what I like to call 'superfillious' notes for ornamentation. (Look for the reactions of some of her co-stars)I was almost brought to tears even though it was Il barbiere is an opera buffa. Great singing is great singing no matter who is singing. Let us not forget I bought this set for just because her name and I was not disappointed at all.

Blake was really great. His singing was on point and his handling of last act aria was wondering in Rossinian manner. However, he seemed to be competing with Ms. Battle for divo/diva supreme of the night as he continually sung out to the audience instead of to the characters on stage.(Kathleen of course had the final word on that respect as always) However, I can't blame him for trying because everyone, as mentioned before was in great voice so it was only left to try and get the most applause. Nucci was amazing. I have heard many renditions of this aria as it is quite popular and he is by far the best. His characterization was excellent and he really seemed to be enjoying his performance as does everyone else. The Dr. Bartolo of Enzo Dara was great as well too. He seem to have a special gift of rolling off these fast lines and retain the true comic element. Look for him and Battle in L'elisir d'amore, another great performance. Don Basilio played up his character to the hilt. I think the Met or any place else would be hardpress to put together an even more stellar case than this one. The other singers were wonderful, absolutely wonderful.

The only drawback to this set is the fact that it is on VHS and as VCR are almost obsolete not many would get to enjoy this set. I envy those who attended this performance as it would have been an experience never to forget. If you find it someone get it. Hopefully DG realizes soon that there is money to be made from getting this performance on DVD.

17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Night at the Opera, July 25, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Rossini - Il barbiere di Seviglia (The Barber of Seville) / Ralf Weikert, The Metropolitan Opera [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This is one of the best operas I have ever seen. Kathleen Battle is a spectacular opera singer and plays her part very well. This may not seem like such a big deal, but considering that I am only sixteen and not a fan of the opera, you get to see my point. It's not like other boring operas that my mother used to watch when I was little, but one that actually tells a story and grabs one's attention. It's one of those kind of videos that is pleasing to watch with the family time after time. So if you're into operas, especially good operas, this is the one to get.