THE SONGBIRD: Rita Hunter (1933 - 2001) was born in England and studied singing in Liverpool and London (with Eva Turner among others). Her joined Sadlers Wells in 1957 singing in the chorus for two years, while also appearing with the Scottish opera as Frasquita and Berta. She toured with the Carl Rosa Opera Company and then rejoined Sadlers Wells in principals roles including Senta, Musetta, Odabella, Donna Anna, Amelia, Santuzza, and Verdi's Leonora. Hunter's fame rose when she sang Brünnhilde in Wagner's Ring cycle in English at the English National Opera (over three seasons 1970 - 1973); she repeated the role for her debut at The Met in 1975. She sang Norma in San Francisco and a mix of dramatic roles of Verdi and Wagner in other cities and festivals. The recorded date is unknown but likely in the early/mid-1960s. The aria is abridged in the opening section.
THE MUSIC: Rossini's "The Barber of Seville" is one of the most popular operas in the world and has been since soon after its premiere in Rome in 1816. It is based on the first of three plays by Pierre Beaumarchais about Figaro, the sly barber in the title. The music of the opera is believed to have been composed in about three weeks. This showy aria "Una voce poco fa" introduces the clever character of Rosina in Act One and has become a touchstone for florid sopranos and mezzos.