[Met Performance] CID:168160



Il Barbiere di Siviglia
Metropolitan Opera House, Fri, March 4, 1955




Il Barbiere di Siviglia (264)
Gioachino Rossini | Cesare Sterbini
Figaro
Frank Guarrera

Rosina
Lily Pons

Count Almaviva
Eugene Conley

Dr. Bartolo
Fernando Corena

Don Basilio
Nicola Moscona

Berta
Sandra Warfield

Fiorello
George Cehanovsky

Sergeant
Alessio De Paolis

Ambrogio
Rudolf Mayreder


Conductor
Pietro Cimara







Review 1:

Review signed C. B. in Musical America

This performance of Rossini's opera marked the season's bow of Lily Pons, who sang the role of Rosina. Eugene Conley appeared as Almaviva for the first time this year, and Sandra WarfieId sang her first Berta. They were joined by Frank Guarrera, as Figaro, and Fernando Corena, as Dr. Bartolo.

All in all, the evening was an uneven one for nearly all concerned. Miss Pons, looking every bit the part in the beautifully executed costumes of Eugene Berman, portrayed Rosina with her customary skill and charm. She also contributed moments of sparkling vocalism, particularly in her "Una voce poco fa." which brought forth silvery tones with a minimum of effort. Otherwise she appeared to be saving her voice and energy for solo passages, and in ensembles like that concluding the second act was only barely audible. Mr. Conley started off rather tentatively in the first act but became more assured and vocally assertive later on.

Both Mr. Guarrera and Mr. Corona made some additions to the stage business. Mr. Corona, who is one of the very best Bartolos the Metropolitan has had in recent years, revealed skill in improvising occasional embellishments upon Cyril Ritchard's brilliant staging, while Mr. Guarrera's clowning was for the most part overdone. Nicola Moscona was an engaging Don Basilio, and Miss WarfieId did nobly by her solo opportunity in the third act. Pietro Cimara conducted the opera for the first time this season.



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