Description:

Fiorenza Cossotto is not necessarily a name associated with “fun” in the operatic world, but even Amneris needs a night off, and she can be found here having a blast in this 1968 Radio Broadcast of Il Barbiere di Siviglia. Cossotto lightens her tone, kicks off her heels, and delivers a charming, coquettish Rosina. The coloratura is free and impeccably clean and she has great chemistry with Fernando Corena’s peerless Bartolo. Luigi Alva, Sesto Bruscantini and Cossotto’s husband, Ivo Vinco are along for the ride as a fluent Almaviva, a thunderous (if rather bland) Figaro and a insinuating, wonderfully dark Basilio. The only real downside is Nino Sanzogno’s leaden baton, which try as it might cannot sap the energy and life Cossotto and company bring to this effervescent performance.

OD 11081-2