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The Marriage of Figaro (1975)

The Marriage of Figaro (1975)

Comedy Music
Release Date: 1975, January 1
Directors: Jean-Pierre Ponnelle
Countries: Germany
Production: Deutsche Grammophon, Unitel Classics, Unitel Classics, Universal Pictures, Universal Pictures
Cast: Kiri Te Kanawa, Hermann Prey, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Mirella Freni, Karl Böhm, Maria Ewing, Heather Begg, Paolo Montarsolo, Janet Perry, John van Kesteren, Hans Kraemmer, Willy Caron

Overview:

Mozart's Marriage of Figaro is a comedy whose dark undertones explore the blurred boundaries between dying feudalism and emerging Enlightenment. Herman Prey's Figaro is admirably sung in a firm baritone and aptly characterized. So too, is his antagonist, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau as the Count perpetually frustrated by the scheming wiles of Figaro and Susanna, here the perky Mirella Freni, who sings and acts like a dream. The Countess is creamy-voiced Kiri Te Kanawa, and the Cherubino, Maria Ewing, looks just like the horny, teenaged page she's supposed to be. The all-star leads are complemented by worthy supporting singers, the Vienna Philharmonic at the top of its form, and the experienced Mozartian, Karl Böhm conducting a stylishly fleet performance.

Keywords:

opera