Rossini's 1816 comic opera The Barber of Seville, or The Useless Precaution was based on a French comedy of 1775 by Pierre-Augustin de Beaumarchais - the first of a trilogy, the second of which was the basis for Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro; Figaro being the titular barber in Rossini's opera.
As mentioned in the album notes below the first performance was less than successful. One of Rossini's rivals, Giovanni Paisiello, who had already composed a version of The Barber of Seville, was in the audience and he whipped up his own supporters to take against Rossini's work and they in turn egged on the rest of the audience to oppose the work. However, from the second performance onwards the work became a firm favourite with audiences.
Cartridge: Zhige ZG-K101 with Paratrace stylus on white sapphire cantilever
Phono amp: Graham Slee Accession MC
Turntable: Kenwood KD7010 direct drive
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The Speakers Corner reissue reproduces the original Decca inner sleeve
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