Il Barbiere di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville)

The setting is, of course, Seville, where Count Almaviva comes to claim the lovely Rosina, ward of the lecherous Dr. Bartolo (who has designs on her himself). Aided and abetted by the eponymous barber Figaro, he concocts an elaborate plan to make her his bride. After many complications, all ends happily, with the lovers united. Il Barbiere di Siviglia contains some of the most delectable interactions, duets, and ensembles in comic opera and the well-matched cast--featuring a fledgling Cecilia Bartoli as Rosina, David Kuebler as Almaviva, Carlos Feller as Bartolo, and Gino Quilico as Figaro--in this 1988 production mounted at the Schwetzingen Festival in Germany carry off the demands of their roles in admirable fashion, while the Radio Symphony Orchestra Stuttgart, under the baton of Gabriele Ferro, keep things moving in a smooth-flowing manner. Taking a traditional approach, with sets and costumes very much in the 18th-century mode, this is a solid choice (despite a murky first scene, due to performance lighting), presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 and PCM stereo, that is recommended for any collection lacking this repertory staple. Aud: H, C, P. (J. Reed)