The Barber of Seville

23yearold Gioachino Rossini completed his masterpiece IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA incredibly quickly legend has it in just 13 days which Rossini attributed to facility and lots of instinct The opera characterized by youthful energy and bold wit has all the ingredients for comic chaos an imprisoned young woman her lecherous guardian and a young noble suitor Skilfully plotting behind the scenes is Figaro an irrepressible and inventive character in whom many have seen a resemblance to the young Rossini himself The score fizzes with musical brilliance from Figaros famous entrance aria to the frenzy of the Act I finale This recording sees Joyce DiDonato Rosina bring literal meaning to the old theatrical motto Break a leg She did just that in an earlier show but was determined to finish her commitment and was restaged into the production to allow for the additional challenges that come when a leading lady in a lively physical role must wheel around the other performers