The Barber of Seville (English Wikipedia)

"Problemi di interpretazione rossiniana". albertozedda.com (in Italian). Rosina: contralto o soprano?. Retrieved 7 January 2025. La trasposizione a un soprano del ruolo di Rosina ha comportato la necessità di trasferire a una voce piú grave il ruolo della seconda donna, Berta, da Rossini assegnato al soprano. Una Berta mezzosoprano troverà incomoda la tessitura della sua aria "Il vecchiotto cerca moglie", e difficilmente praticabile la salita al do5 prescritta alla conclusione del grande concertato del Finale I{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: others (link)

almanac-gherardo-casaglia.com

Casaglia, Gherardo (2005). "Il barbiere di Siviglia, 20 February 1816". L'Almanacco di Gherardo Casaglia (in Italian).

archive.org

C. Osborne 1994, p. 57. Osborne, Charles (1994). The Bel Canto Operas of Rossini, Donizetti, and Bellini. Portland, Oregon: Amadeus Press. ISBN 0-931340-71-3.
C. Osborne 1994, p. 52. Osborne, Charles (1994). The Bel Canto Operas of Rossini, Donizetti, and Bellini. Portland, Oregon: Amadeus Press. ISBN 0-931340-71-3.
Roles are listed as given in the 1816 libretto Archived 10 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine (Rome: Crispino Puccinelli).
Originally written for contralto according to a 2010 program book from La Fenice, as well as R. Osborne 1992, p. 311. Contemporary printed scores tend to list Rosina as a mezzo-soprano role, and the role is listed as mezzo-soprano by C. Osborne 1994, p. 52; Gossett & Brauner 2001, p. 776; and Kobbé 1997, p. 667. Actual casting practice of opera houses varies widely. Some mezzo-sopranos can sing it as originally written without alteration, but a popular transposed version is often used when a soprano is cast in the role. Singers of all three voice types have found considerable success with the role (Foil & Berger 2006). Osborne, Richard (1992). "The Barber of Seville". In Stanley Sadie (ed.). The New Grove Dictionary of Opera. Vol. 1. London: Macmillan. ISBN 1-56159-228-5. Also at Grove Music Online doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.O900429 (subscription required) Osborne, Charles (1994). The Bel Canto Operas of Rossini, Donizetti, and Bellini. Portland, Oregon: Amadeus Press. ISBN 0-931340-71-3. Gossett, Philip; Brauner, Patricia (2001). "The Barber of Seville". In Holden, Amanda (ed.). The New Penguin Opera Guide. New York: Penguin Putnam. ISBN 0-14-029312-4. Kobbé, Gustav (1997). The Earl of Harewood; Antony Peattie (eds.). The New Kobbé's Opera Book. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons. ISBN 978-0-399-14332-8.
Listed as baritone by R. Osborne 1992, p. 311; C. Osborne 1994, p. 52; Gossett & Brauner 2001, p. 776; and Kobbé 1997, p. 310. Osborne, Richard (1992). "The Barber of Seville". In Stanley Sadie (ed.). The New Grove Dictionary of Opera. Vol. 1. London: Macmillan. ISBN 1-56159-228-5. Also at Grove Music Online doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.O900429 (subscription required) Osborne, Charles (1994). The Bel Canto Operas of Rossini, Donizetti, and Bellini. Portland, Oregon: Amadeus Press. ISBN 0-931340-71-3. Gossett, Philip; Brauner, Patricia (2001). "The Barber of Seville". In Holden, Amanda (ed.). The New Penguin Opera Guide. New York: Penguin Putnam. ISBN 0-14-029312-4. Kobbé, Gustav (1997). The Earl of Harewood; Antony Peattie (eds.). The New Kobbé's Opera Book. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons. ISBN 978-0-399-14332-8.
Also listed as soprano by Gossett & Brauner 2001, p. 776; C. Osborne 1994, p. 52; and Kobbé 1997, p. 667. In modern performance the role of Berta is also sung by mezzo-sopranos, and it is listed as mezzo-soprano by R. Osborne 1992, p. 311. See also, Il barbiere di Siviglia on the MetOpera Database Archived 3 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine (performance archives of the Metropolitan Opera) Gossett, Philip; Brauner, Patricia (2001). "The Barber of Seville". In Holden, Amanda (ed.). The New Penguin Opera Guide. New York: Penguin Putnam. ISBN 0-14-029312-4. Osborne, Charles (1994). The Bel Canto Operas of Rossini, Donizetti, and Bellini. Portland, Oregon: Amadeus Press. ISBN 0-931340-71-3. Kobbé, Gustav (1997). The Earl of Harewood; Antony Peattie (eds.). The New Kobbé's Opera Book. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons. ISBN 978-0-399-14332-8. Osborne, Richard (1992). "The Barber of Seville". In Stanley Sadie (ed.). The New Grove Dictionary of Opera. Vol. 1. London: Macmillan. ISBN 1-56159-228-5. Also at Grove Music Online doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.O900429 (subscription required)
Also listed as bass by R. Osborne 1992, p. 311; C. Osborne 1994, p. 52; and Kobbé 1997, p. 667. Listed as baritone by Gossett & Brauner 2001, p. 776. Osborne, Richard (1992). "The Barber of Seville". In Stanley Sadie (ed.). The New Grove Dictionary of Opera. Vol. 1. London: Macmillan. ISBN 1-56159-228-5. Also at Grove Music Online doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.O900429 (subscription required) Osborne, Charles (1994). The Bel Canto Operas of Rossini, Donizetti, and Bellini. Portland, Oregon: Amadeus Press. ISBN 0-931340-71-3. Kobbé, Gustav (1997). The Earl of Harewood; Antony Peattie (eds.). The New Kobbé's Opera Book. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons. ISBN 978-0-399-14332-8. Gossett, Philip; Brauner, Patricia (2001). "The Barber of Seville". In Holden, Amanda (ed.). The New Penguin Opera Guide. New York: Penguin Putnam. ISBN 0-14-029312-4.

books.google.com

Cordier 1883, p. 13. Cordier, Henri (1883). Bibliographie des oeuvres de Beaumarchais. Paris: A. Quantin.
R. Osborne 2007, pp. 38–41 Archived 17 June 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Osborne, Richard (2007). Rossini: His Life and Works. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-518129-6.
Rose, Michael (2013). The Birth of an Opera: Fifteen Masterpieces from Poppea to Wozzeck, pp. 130–131. W. W. Norton & Company. ISBN 0393089657
The plot synopsis is partly based on Melitz 1921, pp. 29–31 Archived 10 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine, with updates, clarifications, and modifications to its often out-of-date language. Melitz, Leo (1921). The Opera Goer's Complete Guide. Translated by Richard Salinger. Garden City, New York: Garden City Publishing.

doi.org

R. Osborne 1992, p. 311 Osborne, Richard (1992). "The Barber of Seville". In Stanley Sadie (ed.). The New Grove Dictionary of Opera. Vol. 1. London: Macmillan. ISBN 1-56159-228-5. Also at Grove Music Online doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.O900429 (subscription required)
Originally written for contralto according to a 2010 program book from La Fenice, as well as R. Osborne 1992, p. 311. Contemporary printed scores tend to list Rosina as a mezzo-soprano role, and the role is listed as mezzo-soprano by C. Osborne 1994, p. 52; Gossett & Brauner 2001, p. 776; and Kobbé 1997, p. 667. Actual casting practice of opera houses varies widely. Some mezzo-sopranos can sing it as originally written without alteration, but a popular transposed version is often used when a soprano is cast in the role. Singers of all three voice types have found considerable success with the role (Foil & Berger 2006). Osborne, Richard (1992). "The Barber of Seville". In Stanley Sadie (ed.). The New Grove Dictionary of Opera. Vol. 1. London: Macmillan. ISBN 1-56159-228-5. Also at Grove Music Online doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.O900429 (subscription required) Osborne, Charles (1994). The Bel Canto Operas of Rossini, Donizetti, and Bellini. Portland, Oregon: Amadeus Press. ISBN 0-931340-71-3. Gossett, Philip; Brauner, Patricia (2001). "The Barber of Seville". In Holden, Amanda (ed.). The New Penguin Opera Guide. New York: Penguin Putnam. ISBN 0-14-029312-4. Kobbé, Gustav (1997). The Earl of Harewood; Antony Peattie (eds.). The New Kobbé's Opera Book. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons. ISBN 978-0-399-14332-8.
Listed as baritone by R. Osborne 1992, p. 311; C. Osborne 1994, p. 52; Gossett & Brauner 2001, p. 776; and Kobbé 1997, p. 310. Osborne, Richard (1992). "The Barber of Seville". In Stanley Sadie (ed.). The New Grove Dictionary of Opera. Vol. 1. London: Macmillan. ISBN 1-56159-228-5. Also at Grove Music Online doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.O900429 (subscription required) Osborne, Charles (1994). The Bel Canto Operas of Rossini, Donizetti, and Bellini. Portland, Oregon: Amadeus Press. ISBN 0-931340-71-3. Gossett, Philip; Brauner, Patricia (2001). "The Barber of Seville". In Holden, Amanda (ed.). The New Penguin Opera Guide. New York: Penguin Putnam. ISBN 0-14-029312-4. Kobbé, Gustav (1997). The Earl of Harewood; Antony Peattie (eds.). The New Kobbé's Opera Book. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons. ISBN 978-0-399-14332-8.
Also listed as soprano by Gossett & Brauner 2001, p. 776; C. Osborne 1994, p. 52; and Kobbé 1997, p. 667. In modern performance the role of Berta is also sung by mezzo-sopranos, and it is listed as mezzo-soprano by R. Osborne 1992, p. 311. See also, Il barbiere di Siviglia on the MetOpera Database Archived 3 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine (performance archives of the Metropolitan Opera) Gossett, Philip; Brauner, Patricia (2001). "The Barber of Seville". In Holden, Amanda (ed.). The New Penguin Opera Guide. New York: Penguin Putnam. ISBN 0-14-029312-4. Osborne, Charles (1994). The Bel Canto Operas of Rossini, Donizetti, and Bellini. Portland, Oregon: Amadeus Press. ISBN 0-931340-71-3. Kobbé, Gustav (1997). The Earl of Harewood; Antony Peattie (eds.). The New Kobbé's Opera Book. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons. ISBN 978-0-399-14332-8. Osborne, Richard (1992). "The Barber of Seville". In Stanley Sadie (ed.). The New Grove Dictionary of Opera. Vol. 1. London: Macmillan. ISBN 1-56159-228-5. Also at Grove Music Online doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.O900429 (subscription required)
Also listed as bass by R. Osborne 1992, p. 311; C. Osborne 1994, p. 52; and Kobbé 1997, p. 667. Listed as baritone by Gossett & Brauner 2001, p. 776. Osborne, Richard (1992). "The Barber of Seville". In Stanley Sadie (ed.). The New Grove Dictionary of Opera. Vol. 1. London: Macmillan. ISBN 1-56159-228-5. Also at Grove Music Online doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.O900429 (subscription required) Osborne, Charles (1994). The Bel Canto Operas of Rossini, Donizetti, and Bellini. Portland, Oregon: Amadeus Press. ISBN 0-931340-71-3. Kobbé, Gustav (1997). The Earl of Harewood; Antony Peattie (eds.). The New Kobbé's Opera Book. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons. ISBN 978-0-399-14332-8. Gossett, Philip; Brauner, Patricia (2001). "The Barber of Seville". In Holden, Amanda (ed.). The New Penguin Opera Guide. New York: Penguin Putnam. ISBN 0-14-029312-4.
R. Osborne 1992, p. 309. Osborne, Richard (1992). "The Barber of Seville". In Stanley Sadie (ed.). The New Grove Dictionary of Opera. Vol. 1. London: Macmillan. ISBN 1-56159-228-5. Also at Grove Music Online doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.O900429 (subscription required)

gramophone.co.uk

"Review" by Richard Osborne, Gramophone

musicwithease.com

The Barber of Seville Archived 14 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine at musicwithease.com

operabase.com

"Opera Statistics". Operabase. Archived from the original on 17 September 2011. Retrieved 8 May 2011.

operanews.com

Myers, Eric, "Sweet and Low: The case of the vanishing contralto Archived 18 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine, Opera News, December 1996.

roh.org.uk

"Ewa Podleś", Royal Opera House

victorianopera.com.au

"The Barber of Secille – Education Resource" by Sofia Laursen and Ioanna Salmanidis, p. 11, Victorian Opera

washingtonpost.com

"For Elisabetta et al., a Long-Overdue Introduction" by Tim Page, The Washington Post, 11 May 2003

web.archive.org

R. Osborne 2007, pp. 38–41 Archived 17 June 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Osborne, Richard (2007). Rossini: His Life and Works. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-518129-6.
The Barber of Seville Archived 14 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine at musicwithease.com
"Opera Statistics". Operabase. Archived from the original on 17 September 2011. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
Myers, Eric, "Sweet and Low: The case of the vanishing contralto Archived 18 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine, Opera News, December 1996.
Roles are listed as given in the 1816 libretto Archived 10 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine (Rome: Crispino Puccinelli).
The voice types given here refer to the original cast as listed in a 2010 program book from Fondazione Teatro La Fenice di Venezia (see Il barbiere di Siviglia, p. 37 [pdf p. 51]), except for Figaro. Although the program book lists Figaro as a bass, all other sources cited here have baritone.
Originally written for contralto according to a 2010 program book from La Fenice, as well as R. Osborne 1992, p. 311. Contemporary printed scores tend to list Rosina as a mezzo-soprano role, and the role is listed as mezzo-soprano by C. Osborne 1994, p. 52; Gossett & Brauner 2001, p. 776; and Kobbé 1997, p. 667. Actual casting practice of opera houses varies widely. Some mezzo-sopranos can sing it as originally written without alteration, but a popular transposed version is often used when a soprano is cast in the role. Singers of all three voice types have found considerable success with the role (Foil & Berger 2006). Osborne, Richard (1992). "The Barber of Seville". In Stanley Sadie (ed.). The New Grove Dictionary of Opera. Vol. 1. London: Macmillan. ISBN 1-56159-228-5. Also at Grove Music Online doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.O900429 (subscription required) Osborne, Charles (1994). The Bel Canto Operas of Rossini, Donizetti, and Bellini. Portland, Oregon: Amadeus Press. ISBN 0-931340-71-3. Gossett, Philip; Brauner, Patricia (2001). "The Barber of Seville". In Holden, Amanda (ed.). The New Penguin Opera Guide. New York: Penguin Putnam. ISBN 0-14-029312-4. Kobbé, Gustav (1997). The Earl of Harewood; Antony Peattie (eds.). The New Kobbé's Opera Book. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons. ISBN 978-0-399-14332-8.
Also listed as soprano by Gossett & Brauner 2001, p. 776; C. Osborne 1994, p. 52; and Kobbé 1997, p. 667. In modern performance the role of Berta is also sung by mezzo-sopranos, and it is listed as mezzo-soprano by R. Osborne 1992, p. 311. See also, Il barbiere di Siviglia on the MetOpera Database Archived 3 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine (performance archives of the Metropolitan Opera) Gossett, Philip; Brauner, Patricia (2001). "The Barber of Seville". In Holden, Amanda (ed.). The New Penguin Opera Guide. New York: Penguin Putnam. ISBN 0-14-029312-4. Osborne, Charles (1994). The Bel Canto Operas of Rossini, Donizetti, and Bellini. Portland, Oregon: Amadeus Press. ISBN 0-931340-71-3. Kobbé, Gustav (1997). The Earl of Harewood; Antony Peattie (eds.). The New Kobbé's Opera Book. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons. ISBN 978-0-399-14332-8. Osborne, Richard (1992). "The Barber of Seville". In Stanley Sadie (ed.). The New Grove Dictionary of Opera. Vol. 1. London: Macmillan. ISBN 1-56159-228-5. Also at Grove Music Online doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.O900429 (subscription required)
The plot synopsis is partly based on Melitz 1921, pp. 29–31 Archived 10 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine, with updates, clarifications, and modifications to its often out-of-date language. Melitz, Leo (1921). The Opera Goer's Complete Guide. Translated by Richard Salinger. Garden City, New York: Garden City Publishing.

worldcat.org

search.worldcat.org

Weinstock 1968, p. 54. Weinstock, Herbert (1968). Rossini: A Biography. New York: Knopf. OCLC 192614.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) OCLC 250474431. Reprint (1987): New York: Limelight. ISBN 978-0-87910-071-1.
Weinstock 1968, p. 366. Weinstock, Herbert (1968). Rossini: A Biography. New York: Knopf. OCLC 192614.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) OCLC 250474431. Reprint (1987): New York: Limelight. ISBN 978-0-87910-071-1.

worldcat.org

Weinstock 1968, p. 54. Weinstock, Herbert (1968). Rossini: A Biography. New York: Knopf. OCLC 192614.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) OCLC 250474431. Reprint (1987): New York: Limelight. ISBN 978-0-87910-071-1.
Weinstock 1968, p. 366. Weinstock, Herbert (1968). Rossini: A Biography. New York: Knopf. OCLC 192614.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) OCLC 250474431. Reprint (1987): New York: Limelight. ISBN 978-0-87910-071-1.