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Doctoral recital, USM, November 29th, 2012

Gioachino Rossini was one of three Italian composers that make up what is now known as the bel canto school, the others being Gaetano Donizetti and Vincenzo Bellini. Rossini was best known for his comic operas, although he wrote nearly forty operas in various styles between 1812 and 1829. His Il Barbiere di Siviglia has remained in the operatic canon since shortly after its failed premiere in 1816. At the time, Paisiello's 1776 adaptation of the Beaumarchais play was extremely popular. However, Rossini's version soon eclipsed the original's popularity (much as his own version of Otello would later take a back seat to Verdi's). Figaro's egotistical cavatina Largo al factotum has been both feared and favored by baritones since it was written. The aria's high tessitura and extensive patter present great technical challenges, but also offer an exciting showpiece. This role is considered to be the first true baritone role, where earlier roles of this nature were all designated bass or buffo.

Largo al factotum della citta. Make way for the topman of the city. Presto a bottega che l'alba e gia. Rushing to his shop now that it's dawn. Ah, che bel vivere, che bel piacere Ah, isn't life good, how pleasant it is per un barbiere di qualita! For a barber of class! Ah, bravo Figaro! Bravo bravissimo! Ah, nice one Figaro! really nice one!Fortunatissimo per verita! I am the luckiest it's true to say! Pronto a far tutto, la notte e il giorno Ready for anything, night and day sempre d'intorno in giro sta. Always busy and around. Miglior cuccagna per un barbiere, A better lot for a barber, vita piu nobile, no, non si da. A more noble life cannot be found. Rasori e pettini, lancette e forbici, Razors and combs, lancets and scissors al mio commando tutto qui sta Are all here at my command V'e la risorsa, And there are `extras', poi, del mestiere Then, for the business colla donnetta... col cavaliere... With women... and with gentlemen.. Tutti mi chiedono, tutti mi vogliono, Everyone asks for me, everyone wants me, donne, ragazzi, vecchi, e fanciulle: Women, kids, old men and girls; Qua la parruca... Presto la barba... What about the wig... A quick shave... Qua la sanguigna... Some leeches for bleeding... Presto il biglietto... Quick the note... Figaro! Figaro! Figaro!, Figaro! Figaro! Figaro! Ahime, che furia! Heavens, what mayhem! Ahime, che folla! Heavens, what crowds! Uno alla volta, per carita! One at a time, For pities sake! Figaro! Son qua. Figaro! Here I am. Figaro qua, Figaro la, Figaro here, Figaro there, Figaro su, Figaro giu, Figaro up, Figaro down, Pronto prontissimo son come il fulmine Quicker and quicker the sparks fly with me sono il factotum della citta. I am the topman of the city. Ah, bravo Figaro! Bravo, bravissimo; Ah, nice one Figaro! really nice one a te fortuna non manchera. From you luckiness will not depart.