Multiple musical elements of this production went back to Rossini’s original conception of the opera, premiered in Rome in 1816, beginning with casting the puissant mezzo-soprano Emily Fons as Rosina. Her immaculate runs and embellishments took her into the role’s rich lower range, with not quite as many soprano high notes added, giving the role the piquant edge Rossini intended.

Charles T Downey for The Classical Review