Deutsche Grammophon is proud to continue its Hardback Opera Series with this truly legendary opera recording from the golden age of stereo, remastered to true 24-bit Audio from the original analogue tapes, presented on High Fidelity Pure Audio Blu-ray disc + CD in deluxe hardback edition with libretti and synopsis in English, French and German. This particular recording commemorates the 150th anniversary of Rossini’s passing, presenting Abbado's 1971 reading of Rossini’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia with the London Symphony Orchestra, Teresa Berganza's tangy Rosina, Luigi Alva's stylish, nimble Lindoro and Hermann Prey. The CD and Blu-ray Audio disc feature the celebrated studio recording and are presented alongside the production filmed at La Scala in the same year and with the same cast. The booklet includes essays by Alan Blyth and Bernd Feuchtner. “The orchestral playing and conducting are superb, offering both sparkle and a welcome hint of gravitas ... The casts, predominantly Italian, feature some wonderful singers ... Teresa Berganza, as Rosina and Angelina, is a softer-grained mezzo than we’re used to – no machine-gun coloratura here – but offers her own special charm.” GRAMOPHONE MAGAZINE “There's a pleasing fluidity in this elaborate filming of the Rossini opera, with hardly a lag in its 141-minute running time, made possible by a very mobile camera operating on a giant set, as well as smooth direction which alternates backdrops to action pauselessly -- afar cry from the usual static on-stage recording or taping of opera.” VARIETY, NEW YORK on the DVD production