[Met Performance] CID:100940



Il Barbiere di Siviglia
Metropolitan Opera House, Mon, January 7, 1929




Il Barbiere di Siviglia (138)
Gioachino Rossini | Cesare Sterbini
Figaro
Titta Ruffo

Rosina
Amelita Galli-Curci

Count Almaviva
Armand Tokatyan

Dr. Bartolo
Pompilio Malatesta

Don Basilio
Ezio Pinza

Berta
Philine Falco

Fiorello
Vincenzo Reschiglian

Sergeant
Giordano Paltrinieri


Conductor
Vincenzo Bellezza


Director
Armando Agnini

Set Designer
Joseph Urban





In the Lesson Scene Amelita Galli-Curci sang the Shadow Song from Dinorah and Home sweet home from Clari (Bishop).
Il Barbiere di Siviglia received three performances this season.

Review 1:

Review signed S. A. D. in the New York Sun

Galli-Curci Sings in 'Il Barbiere'

Rossini's opera buffa, "Il Barbiere di Siviglia" was given at the Metropolitan Opera House last evening for the first time this season, with Amelita Galli-Curci making her season's reentry in the role of Rosina. Titta Ruffo, the distinguished Italian baritone, appeared singing Figaro. Armand Tokatyan was Almaviva and Ezio Pinza, the Basilio.

With the operatic stars leading the cast and a brilliant Monday night audience in attendance, the occasion took on a special significance. The performance gave much pleasure. The ensemble as a whole was one not marked by a generally great finesse in the art of elegant florid song, but there was in it, after the overture was over and the first part of the first act, both of which went rather heavily, fluency and a good amount of comic interpretation.

Mme. Galli-Curci as Rosina finds herself in one of her best parts. She showed last evening no remarkable skill for subtle comedy, but she was attractive to see as the Spanish senorita and her impersonation had much grace and charm. When she first appeared in the second scene to sing the "Una voce poco fa," the prima donna could not mistake her warm welcome.

She sang the air with her customary ease and flexibility in the delivery of coloratura, but her tone was very small and had little luster and there was trouble with the pitch. Later, however, it took on much more color and brilliance and there was a display of much exquisite nuance. In the Lesson Scene the singer gave the "Shadow Song" from "Dinorah" and "Home Sweet Home."

Mr. Ruffo is also happy as Figaro and last evening he was delightful in his gay and humorous impersonation of the role. He won much applause for his delivery of the "Largo al factotum." His florid singing was not perfection, but his recitative secco on the other hand was excellent and his splendid voice in full evidence. Mr. Tokatyan bravely essayed the music of the Count but with only tolerable success in the florid parts. Mr. Pinza's singing, as Don Basilio, of the "Caluminia" air was a feature of the ensemble. Mr. Malatesta as Dr. Bartolo was a familiar buffo in the part. Mr. Bellezza conducted. The house was sold out.



Search by season: 1928-29

Search by title: Il Barbiere di Siviglia,



Met careers