[Met Performance] CID:131090
Il Barbiere di Siviglia {171} Matinee Broadcast ed. Metropolitan Opera House: 03/1/1941., Broadcast
(Broadcast
Review)
Metropolitan Opera House
March 1, 1941 Matinee Broadcast
IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA {171}
Figaro..................John Charles Thomas
Rosina..................Josephine Tuminia
Count Almaviva..........Bruno Landi
Dr. Bartolo.............Salvatore Baccaloni
Don Basilio.............Ezio Pinza
Berta...................Irra Petina
Fiorello................Wilfred Engelman
Sergeant................John Dudley
Conductor...............Gennaro Papi
Review signed "S" in Musical America
Rossini's 'Barber of Seville' Is Repeated
A capacity audience in a gay and boisterous mood heard the second performance this season of Rossini's "Barber of Seville" at the Metropolitan Opera on the afternoon of March 1. Salvatore Baccaloni's Dr. Bartolo is as ingenious a characterization as his Don Pasquale and his singing was as finished as his acting. Ezio Pinza's Don Basilio was magnificent both in vocal splendor and comic pantomime. John Charles Thomas sang the title role in masterly fashion. Josephine Tuminia sang Rosina's altitudinous music with admirable technical fluency and accuracy of pitch. And Bruno Landi's Count Almaviva was satisfactory. Nor should the stiff-jointed Berta of Irra Petina go without mention, especially since she sang her aria beautifully. Mr. Papi conducted with a heavy hand, though with spirit. The Metropolitan is not super-subtle in its humor, but in this case it is undeniably effective, and a merry afternoon was had by everyone.