Customer Reviews

Rossini: Il barbiere di Siviglia / Hampson, Menzter, Hadley, Pratic̣, Ramey; Gelmetti

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a fine recording if you admire the voices of the three principles: Hampson, Hadley and Mentzer, which I do. You will find them at their best and most musical. However, if you do not care for them then I wouldn't recommend buying this recording. Besides the absurd three disc price, the ensemble and conducting is not very memorable. For a fine digital recording, I'd reccomend the Larmore, Hagagard set or, for a budget price, the Ganassi, Vargas recording is superb. As far as a classic recording, the Callas is awesome.

It took me a long time to get this recording - out of stock, delayed delivery - but it paid. I love it. I find Jerry Hadley's interpretation of that serenade very well done - exagerations included - and Thomas Hampson's Figaro is excellent. I'm glad I persevered and waited for the disk to arrive!

When it comes to musical accuracy, this recording is impeccable. Hampson provides a nice lyric coloratura approach to Figaro which is a nice change to the Milnes/Sills/Wunderlich recording that I also have. In that recording Milnes is far to heavy and uses very little head voice but instead pushes his chest voice up for all of his high notes and hooks practically everything....Hampson's approach is much more practical and is rooted in good solid vocal technique. Haddley isn't nearly as "showy" as Wunderlich but, once again, provides a very clean approach to all of the music and his coloratura is excellent. I still think that I prefer Sills as Rosina but the performer in the recording does do a fine job. I would definitely reccomend to anyone this recording for purchase, and since it's no longer being manufactured I suggest that you grab one as quickly as possible!

All the freshness of Mr. Hadleys voice can be appreciated through the count of almaviva's arias. Definetivelly the best Rossinian performer. This is a MUST HAVE record for those who appreciate Rossini-Beaumarchais masterpiece.