
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.
Release Date: 1/1/1975
Runtime: 181 minutes
Languages: Italian
Director: Jean-Pierre Ponnelle
00Companies: Deutsche Grammophon, Unitel Classics, Universal Pictures
Countries: Germany
Il Conte di Almaviva

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
Hans Kraemmer
Antonio

Janet Perry
Barbarina

Karl Böhm
Self - Conductor
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