Rossini: Il barbiere di Siviglia

Shortly before becoming Music Director of the Metropolitan Opera, James Levine conducted this high-powered performance of Rossini’s most popular comedy. The Met’s charismatic star baritone, Sherrill Milnes, takes the title role and Beverly Sills, America’s favourite prima donna and a bel canto specialist, is Rosina. Count Almaviva is sung by the ever-stylish Nicola Gedda, Ruggero Raimondi makes a splendidly resonant Don Basilio and, as Dr Bartolo, Renato Capecchi displays his mastery of comic style. There is even a great singer as Berta, the long-suffering maid: Italian mezzo Fedora Barbieri.