Jones blends coloratura skills with a comic artfulness far better than that of the conventional minx. No mere token American importation is Bruce Ford: his secure, shining Almaviva interacts with the robust but unexaggerated comedy of Opie’s Figaro and Andrew Shore’s Bartoli.'

Gramophone

‘What gives unalloyed pleasure – in addition to the ensemble work of the whole company – is the scrupulous, easy sounding virtuosity of the principals, Della Jones and Bruce Ford especially, as they deal with scales, grupetti, high notes and so forth. In such graceful accomplishments this recording can compete with any.’

 

 

Registered charity number: 258224

Opera

'...here is an assertion that opera in English translation is alive still. But it is more than that...I maintain that the enterprise has never been more brilliantly done. The Peter Moores Foundation is midwife to this new Barber. The result is as admirable for musical values and sharp characterisation as for clarity and verbal relish. Della

CHAN 3025

5 January 2009

The Peter Moores Foundation supports projects which come to the attention of its Patron, or Trustees, through their interests and special knowledge. General applications for grants are not encouraged and are unlikely to succeed.

An opera in two acts
Critical edition by Alberto Zedda
Libretto by Cesare Sterbini
after the play Le Barbier de Séville by Beaumarchais English translation by Amanda & Anthony Holden

The Cast

Bruce Ford, tenor - Count Almaviva
Andrew Shore, baritone - Bartolo
Della Jones, mezzo-soprano - Rosina
Alan Opie, baritone - Figaro
Peter Rose, bass - Don Basilio
Peter Snipp, baritone - Fiorello
Jennifer Rhys-Davies, soprano - Berta
Christopher Ross, bass - An Officer
English National Opera Chorus
English National Opera Orchestra
Gabriele Bellini - conductor

Recorded in Goldsmith's College, London
9-14 August 1994
Producer - Brian Couzens
Sound engineer - Ralph Couzens
Assistant engineer - Richard Smoker

Registered charity number: 258224

The Barber of Seville

© Peter Moores Foundation 2004