Rossini: Il barbiere di Siviglia (Munich, 1959)

Cast: Hermann Prey (Figaro), Fritz Wunderlich (Almaviva), Erika Köth (Rosina), Max Pröbstl (Bartolo), Hans Hotter (Basilio), Ina Gerhein (Marcellina), Karl Ostertag (Fiorillo), Adolf Keil (an officer), Chorus of the Bavarian State Opera, Bavarian State Orchestra, Joseph Keilberth (conductor), Herbert List (director), Max Bignens (designer)

Recorded live at the Cuvilliéstheater, Munich, 25 December 1959

Issued on DVD by Deutsche Grammophon in 2005 (NTSC, region 0, menus in English, subtitles in German, English, French, Spanish, and Chinese)

Technical Details:
Picture Format : 4:3 Black & White
Sound : PCM Mono

Running Time : 141 minutes

Sung in German (Translation: Ignaz Kollmann/Otto Neitzel)


This performance at the Bavarian State Opera was one of the very first German live opera broadcasts. It has been rebroadcast several times, always as a success. Now it has been issued on DVD for the first time, technically restored though remaining a historical document with imperfect monochrome video and constricted monaural sound. In the manner of mono recordings, audio balance favors singers over orchestra. The unnamed video director delivers an enjoyable balance of wide view and partial and full closeups.

The Wagner and Strauss specialist Josef Keilberth conducts a vivid Rossini performance in an intimate theatre with the Bavarian State Orchestra in the acoustical background. Keilberth is a perfect partner for his singers, supporting them in a more precise reading than often encountered, but without becoming rigid.

This performance is a triumph of good old-fashioned ensemble theatre and of great singers. The doll’s house sets and approximately historic costumes focus attention on the music and the tale. The performance draws its dramatic strength not so much from the direction of Herbert List but from the acting skills and comic gifts of a cast which was clearly enjoying itself. The three protagonists are young enough to be also visually convincing and the vocal quality of the ensemble is as high as it could ever have been in Germany. Fritz Wunderlich was arguably the best German lyric tenor on record; here he is a unique Almaviva with his full lyric, silvery timbre and great agility. Hermann Prey is a virtuoso Figaro with an almost Italian baritone and brilliant top. He later became an international star, particularly in this role, and left us a second video interpretation in the Ponnelle film. Charming Erika Köth is vocally at her best in the soprano version of Rosina, especially in her numerous tasteful interpolations in the highest register. The famous Wagnerian Hans Hotter reveals his comic gifts as Basilio, as well as his mighty voice with its strong vibrato. Max Proebstl blusters effectively as Bartolo. The other singers are at least adequate and DG has packaged it well by including a synopsis and background information in the booklet.

This disc captures Rossini from a different perspective as well as from a different time. A primary recording of this work should be more complete - without the 'standard practice' omissions encountered here. It could also be technically on a higher level with wide-ranging stereo sound and full color. However if you want to experience a timeless classic as an historical document or simply enjoy a rich performance with superb musicians, there should be room in your library for this DVD.
 
Related websites:
Universal Classics www.universalclassics.com
Deutsche Grammophon www.deutschegrammophon.com/dvd
Helmut Weber, 29 September 2005
 
See also Michael Richter's Introduction to the DVD, for a list of other reviews see the DVD Project page.