El barbarillo de Lavapiés (Barbieri)

María Bayo, Lola Casariego, Manuel Lanza, José A. Sempere. Coros Polifonico Universitario La Laguna, Orquesta Sinfónica de Tenerife, c. Victor Pablo Pérez
Auvidis Valois V4731

Luis Sagi Vela, Mari Carmen Ramirez, Dolores Pérez, Francsico Saura. Coro Cantores de Madrid, Orquesta Lírica Española, c. Federico Moreno Torroba
EMI 5 74163 2

Ana María Olaria, Teresa Berganza, Carlos Munguia, Gerardo Monreal, Jose María Maizo. Orfeón Donostiarra, Orquesta Sinfónica, c. Ataulfo Argenta
BMG Alhambra WD 71978

With a good cast, notably the youthful high baritone Lanza in the title role (normally given to a tenor) and lively direction from Pablo Pérez, the new Auvidis disc has rightly swept all before it, revealing Barbieri's score in its full range and brilliance for the first time.

The two older performances have much to recommend them, too. On EMI Sagi Vela's unique tenor-baritone produces an elegant, fastidious Lamparilla that remains compelling, while Torroba's urgent direction lends passion to proceedings. Argenta for BMG boasts much the best Paloma in Berganza, but Monreal's tenor Lamparilla sounds too like Munguia's Don Luis for comfort, and the recording shows its age.

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