THE BARBER OF SEVILLE

Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera (1 March 1941)

Thomas, Landi, Tuminia, Pinza

Baccaloni / Papi

Also

Bruno Landi: Duet and Aria 1944

One of the pleasures of the 1941 season at the Met was this rollicking performance of Rossini’s comic masterpiece. The famed John Charles Thomas sings Figaro, the delightful tenore di grazie Bruno Landi sings Almaviva, Josephine Tuminia is a pert coloratura Rosina, while Salvatore Baccaloni creates much hilarity as the fat and pompous Don Bartolo. Ezio Pinza’s lanky, marvelously sung Don Basilio completes the cast. This Guild release, in good sound with broadcast commentary and curtain calls, recreates the occasion with photos of the principals on stage during performance, an article about the singers and the performance and a track-related synopsis, all the features well associated with the Guild Historical series.