Search - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Kiri Te Kanawa, Samuel Ramey :: Mozart - Le nozze di Figaro / Te Kanawa, Popp, von Stade, Ramey, T. Allen, Moll, London Phil., Solti

Great Cast, Great Conductor, Who Could Ask For More?

Timothy Kearney | Hull, MA United States | 12/27/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a recording that people either love or hold in contempt. I happen to be someone who favors this recording. How can a recording with a cast such as this possibly fail? Each of the major performers: Kiri Te Kanawa as the Countess, Frederica von Stade as Cherubino, Lucia Popp as Susanna, Thomas Allen the Count, and Samuel Ramey as Figaro are all known for their interpretations of these roles. Sir Georg Solti conducts the score with vigor and expertise.Strengths of the recording start with the rousing version of the overture, an orchestral piece that can often be performed too slowly, but has vigor in this recording. Von Stade's renditions of "Non so Piu" in Act I and the well known "Voi Che Sapete" of Act II are excellent. Ramey's rendition of "Non Pui Andrai" where he celebrates Cherubino's decision to join the military is able to convey the humor of the scene. The finale of Act II is well done and the cast captures the craziness of the scene rather well. The Act III aria "Dove Sono" is Te Kanawa at her best. The Act III duet of the Countess and Susanna "Che Soave Zefiretto" (familiar to fans of THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION as the song played over the prison p.a. system) sounds angelic. My only fault with the singing in this recording is that of the tenor role of Robert Tear as Don Basilio, but this may be due more to the fact that this is not all that great a role for a tenor.The recording has a libretto and is marked according to the disc and track numbers. Unfortunately there is not a table of contents with page numbers, so following the libretto is not always easy. So why do some people love this recording and others disdain it? Le NOZZE di FIGASRO is one of the most popular operas as well as one of the most recorded works in the classical repertoire. I think we tend to fall in love with the first recording we hear and judge all others based on our first impressions. Figaro is one of the operas that "we always remember our first love." Fans of other interpretations of Mozart may find earlier recordings superior, and since I enjoy them I will not argue the point, but this is certainly a great recording and brings this magnificent opera to life in a magical way."

Superb performance of Mozart?s masterpiece!

Mike Powers | Woolwich, ME USA | 07/14/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Although I love classical music, I'm not an especially big fan of opera. But, every once in a while I find something truly enjoyable in this genre. I bought this 3-CD version of Mozart's "Le Nozze di Figaro" ("The Marriage of Figaro" ) based upon the recommendation of a friend who thought it would help me gain a greater appreciation for opera. Did it ever! In every way, this is a beautifully performed version of this great Mozart masterpiece. The music, as performed by the late Sir Georg Solti and London Symphony Orchestra, is stunningly brilliant, as are the soloists. Dame Kiri te Kanawa gives another absolutely superb performance as Countess Almaviva. Samuel Ramey, in his role as Figaro, sings with tremendous vitality and freshness, as do Thomas Allen (Count Almaviva,) and Lucia Popp (Susanna.) This 3-disc set comes with a booklet containing very well written liner notes and the opera's complete libretto, all translated into four languages - English, Italian, German and French. The London label should be commended for this; the booklet has been for me a tremendous help in understanding and enjoying "Figaro."This is one opera I've truly enjoyed, and will continue to savor - over and over again!"

Very lively performance

Timothy Kearney | 01/20/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Lifeless" and "Computer Generated"?? It is obvious that that particular reviewer is a lifeless person. Perhaps he/she is a computer generated person - a robot. That's why he/she cannot hear the feelings that the artists exude in this recording.This is a famous recording! Kanawa owned the role of the Countess for a decade. Unlike many other singers who sings a broad repertiore, Dame Kanawa chose to focus on a few characters during her long and illustrious career. This was the recording that made her extremely famous. Her Countess is sung with ravishing beauty. Lucia Popp is incredible as Susanna. Without doubt one of the best, if not the best on record. She literally sparkles with life.Fredrica's is a famous classic performance of Cherubino.Samuel Ramey and Sir Thomas Allen round up the all-star cast of this recording.And of course, Sir Georg Solti is in most thrilling and exciting form.You'll find it hard to find another recording that can rival this classic recording. Giulini's Figaro is another classic. But the annoying thing is that there are some cuts made in the opera. Yes, they are minor cuts but Mozart die-hards would want every second of Mozart's lovely music included.Detractors - eat your hearts out. This recording has already gone down the hall of fame as a classic recording with a Grammy Award in 1983 and magnificent accolades from the Penguin Guide and Gramophone, not to mention countless others."