Recommend a good production of Il Barbiere Di Siviglia on CD

[Morbo]

I'm going to see Il Barbiere Di Siviglia this Friday for the second time and the CD I have (Varviso and Rossini) isn't a very good one - the sound overwhelms the vocals at times, most noticeably during Largo al Factotum, which drives me beserk.

I was hoping a Doper could recommend a particular production and cast on CD that's really good.

Grazie molto

[Figaro]

Hi Dooku-

I think it's tough to find a good Barber on CD. I've never heard one that I thought was all-around great. Strange, since it's done so often live.

Here are a couple that I've enjoyed, though:

http://www.allclassical.com/cg/acg.dll?p=acg&sql=3:97346
http://www.allclassical.com/cg/acg.dll?p=acg&sql=3:12413

(click "details" on the allmusic page to see the cast list)

I hope that helps some.

AS

[Figaro]

P.S. the second of the two is probably the better, in my opinion.

[Morbo]

Cool - thanks Figaro! I'd say you were well-suited for this question!

I will use self control and type your username only once. :)