Pan y toros (Barbieri)

Ana María Iriarte, Manuel Ausensi, Carlos Munguia, Conchita Dominguez, Rafael Campos, Joaquin Portillo. Coro Cantores de Madrid, Orquesta Sinfónica, c. Indalecio Cisneros
BMG Alhambra WD-74390 [extended highlights]

A really complete Pan y toros is long overdue, and this 1950's version cuts Barbieri's greatest score about so barbarously that it can only really be recommended as a stopgap. That having been said, the performance is strong, with Ausensi on svelte form, and Munguia outstanding as the delightfully comic Abbot. The clumsy CD transfer does the set no favours, but this will have to do for the moment.

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