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.
Jean-Pierre Ponnelle
Director
Lorenzo da Ponte
Writer
Hermann Prey
Figaro
Mirella Freni
Susanna
Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
Il Conte di Almaviva
Kiri Te Kanawa
La Contessa di Almaviva
Maria Ewing
Cherubino
Heather Begg
Marcellina
Paolo Montarsolo
Bartolo
John van Kesteren
Basilio
Willy Caron
Don Curzio
Love Happy58%
Footlight Parade68%
A Song Is Born64%
Babes in Arms64%
The Big Store62%
Bratz: Rock Angelz74%
Fun with Dick and Jane66%
Much Ado About Nothing67%
Louis C.K.: Hilarious78%
Bagnomaria58%
Borotalco67%
Arlo the Alligator Boy67%
Make Mine Music58%
Godspell66%
Ziegfeld Follies60%
A Day at the Races71%
Arctic Dogs60%
Sing71%
The Girl Can't Help It62%
Buck Privates68%
