[Met Performance] CID:128500



Il Barbiere di Siviglia
Metropolitan Opera House, Sat, March 23, 1940




Il Barbiere di Siviglia (168)
Gioachino Rossini | Cesare Sterbini
Figaro
Giuseppe De Luca

Rosina
Lily Pons

Count Almaviva
Nino Martini

Dr. Bartolo
Louis D'Angelo

Don Basilio
Ezio Pinza

Berta
Irra Petina

Fiorello
Wilfred Engelman

Sergeant
Giordano Paltrinieri


Conductor
Gennaro Papi







Review 1:

Review of Quaintance Eaton in Musical America

'Barber' Closes Post Season

A festive air pervaded the opera house at the final performance of the post season on March 23, not only because of the work chosen, the inimitable "Barber of Seville," but also because the audience seemed to feel a gay send-off was the keynote for the Metropolitan season. This in spite of the difficulties of the campaign for funds or, perhaps, because of its probable success. George A. Sloan, chairman of the campaign fund committee, made intermission statements of an encouraging nature which are noted in news columns in this issue, and Edward Johnson was on hand to lend the proper friendly note.

The performance moved with high spirits, chiefly because of the blithe characterization of the title rôle by Giuseppe De Luca. The veteran baritone illumined each scene with such wealth of appropriate and subtle gesture and such truly excellent singing that he was completely a focal point for the action. Entering into the gaiety and comedy with right good will, the other singers gave familiar portrayals. Lily Pons was an exquisite Rosina, and the comic efforts and vocalization of Nino Martini, Ezio Pinza, Louis D'Angelo and Irra Petina were essential parts of a unified whole. Mr. Papi conducted. The audience enjoyed both the comedy and the singing to rapturous extent.



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