The album cover for Florian Sempey’s new album shows the French baritone clearly having fun accosting a Rossini bust, and that sense of fun translates into the performances, which are full of wit, subtlety and interpretative variety. There’s also welcome variety in the programme: we might kick off with the obligatory ‘Largo al factotum’ but there’s a good range of other works covered, with solo arias alongside duets and numbers with chorus, not to mention two of Rossini’s best-known overtures.

Sempey sets out his stall with a fine account of Figaro’s aria, immediately showcasing an attractive voice well suited to the repertoire – pleasingly grainy and with a slightly vinegary tang, medium-sized and agile – and a good line in twinkly-eyed mischief, even if he plays his repeated ‘Figaro’ calls surprisingly straight, with none of the acrobatics Michael Spyres, for example, brings to it on his recent ‘BariTenor’ album (A/21). There’s plenty of spark, too, in the Barbiere duet, one of two enjoyable duets with the fine mezzo Karine Deshayes.

The Scala di seta aria is excellent, too, showing Sempey at his sensitive best – listen to his hushed way at the start of the second verse at 1'55", and top marks to the superb horn player’s brief solo at 6'18". Indeed, one of the joys of the album is the contribution of the Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, with tack-sharp strings (the pizzicatos have a wonderful bounce) and characterful winds. Marc Minkowski conducts with real élan and joy.

The work from the other singers is excellent, with the Cenerentola duet a highlight. Arguably the best, though, is saved for last: a performance of ‘Dans ce lieu solitaire’ that skips along with irresistible verve. All of it’s great fun, though, and performed with just the swagger the music needs. With top-drawer recorded sound, this is enjoyable album can be warmly recommended.