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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 r?le 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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