Opera Scotland

Barbiere di Siviglia 1944Sadler's Wells Opera

Read more about the opera Barber of Seville

We don't nowadays associate Peter Pears with an operatic role like Almaviva, any more than we think of Reginald Goodall with conducting Rossini. At this early stage of their careers they were learning their trade and worked on whatever opportunities were offered. Rosina here is cast with a soprano alternating with the authentic mezzo, so audiences could choose who they wanted to hear - some enthusiasts might hear both.

The Sadler's Wells company, guided by Tyrone Guthrie, were making a serious effort to restore some aspects of authentic light comedy style. As the Herald put it: 'Last night's audience saw their Barber as a much purer comedy than they have grown accustomed to.    All the low comedy, much of it lying like a heavy weight on Rossini's score - had vanished, and the natural comedy of the opera, rich enough to win laughter as hearty as the applause....came into its own'.

Cast details are drawn from reviews in the Glasgow Herald and the Scotsman.