Mozart - Le Nozze di Figaro / Te Kanawa, Cotrubas, von Stade, Luxon, Skram, Fryatt; Pritchard, Glyndebourne Opera
by John Pritchard
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DVD details
Actor: Benjamin Luxon, Frederica von Stade, Ileana Cotrubas, Kiri te Kanawa, Knut SkramDirector: John Pritchard
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: Italian (Original Language), Stereo; English (Unknown); French (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); Italian (Dubbed), Stereo
Format: Classical, Color, DVD-Video, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 185 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2004-09-21
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Arthaus Musik
DVD Reviews of Mozart - Le Nozze di Figaro / Te Kanawa, Cotrubas, von Stade, Luxon, Skram, Fryatt; Pritchard, Glyndebourne Opera
DVD Review: One of the best, very solid.
Summary: 4 Stars
I'll try not to repeat what has already been said about this performance, but rather just give a quick impression.
Firstly I have heard this conducted better and the title role as played by Knut Skram was a tad weak, both in the way he acted and sung. Pritchard actually led the orchestra very well but a few times the singers seemed to be going one way and the orchestra another.
Benjamin Luxon and Ileana Cotrubas sing their roles to perfection, but the real jewels of the opera are Kiri Te Kanawa as the Countess and Frederica von Stade, who sings the best Cherubino I've yet heard.
I'm of the opinion that a good Susanna can carry this opera (and no doubt Cotrubas could) but there is no question Kiri Te Kanawa is the center of the show here.The other players were great as well. Marius Rintzler as Dr. Bartolo stole his scenes.
My personal preference is the Haitink/Fleming/Finley/Hagley Nozze done in '94 at Glyndebourne for a DVD performance though taken individual by individual this '73 performance is better.
DVD Review: Marriage of Figaro
Summary: 5 Stars
Even after many years, this production, with the marvelous Kiri Te Kanawa as the Countess, is still the best Marriage of Figaro production I have ever seen. Frederica von Stade is outstanding as Cherubino, and Benjamin Luxon is a wonderful Count. I initially didn't care much for Ileana Cotrubas as Susanna, but after repeated viewings I have come to appreciate how sublimely she performs. Knut Skram is an excellent Figaro.DVD Review: A Special Experience
Summary: 5 Stars
GLYNDEBOURNE FESTIVAL, 1973
What is it with Mozart? His symphonic music and concertos are charming but, after so many years, do rather show their age. Yes, everything is wonderful and the notes are all in the right place, but somehow it's all a little too formal, formulaic even. It's nice music to dance a waltz to or introduce a tone deaf friend to the riches of classical music with, but...sometimes you feel if you've heard one piano concerto you've heard them all.
Now this is definitely not the case when we examine Mozart's operas--and particularly the three almost perfect operas he wrote with the Italian librettist, Lorenzo Da Ponte. These three works are as alive today in the operatic repertoire as they were in Mozart's day: or even more famous now really as, at the time of composition, Mozart was in a largely losing battle with Salieri and Martin Y Soler for courtly recognition. The Duke of Vienna famously remarked to the composer on hearing Figaro: "A beautiful work maestro, but too many notes", to which Mozart (equally famously) replied: "Just as many as necessary my lord". It seems amazing to us now that the ears of the listeners of the time didn't immediately inform them that this was the work of a majestic genius and that the tinkling tunes of Salieri and Co. were no more than workaday stuff. Yet as Ezra Pound informs us in his poem Hugh Selwyn Mauberley, "no one knows at sight a masterpiece".
With Figaro, probably for the first time, Mozart fully realised the intricate complexity of his musical art. This is exciting music. This is character driven music. This is music where the intertwining vocal lines express cynicism, hope, love, hate, ambition and sly craftiness. Each individual vocal and instrumental line perfectly unfolds the inner drama of a character, yet at the same time adds something to the contrapuntal and emotional whole. Duets and trios abound and slowly but surely Mozart builds up to his overwhelming sestets that usually close an act with sublime confusion, joy or fear. The orchestra in Mozart's operas is never merely present to give an "oom-pa-pa" accompaniment, but interacts in a symbiotic way with the vocal lines: gurgling woodwind underscores the irony of Musetto's claim that he knows Don Giovanni to be a "cavaliere" or gentleman and flashing strokes of the violins bring Figaro to its joyful conclusion.
So what about this 1973 Glyndebourne production? As a teenager, it was this televised production that fully stirred my interest in Mozart and opera in general. Yes, I fell a little bit in love with the Countess, Susanna and Frederica Von Stade's stunning Cherubino; yet looking back after all these years I can only commend myself for my good taste. The leading singers--Kiri Te Kanawa, Ileana Cotrubas, Von Stade, and Benjamin Luxon--really are superb. Knut Skram is very good as Figaro and the fact that he subsequently decided to spend most of his time in Norway should not blind us to the fact that he is a very good singer. The secondary roles are also exceptionally well sung. Nucci Condo as Marcellina comes in for a special mention because she brings this somewhat dull part to multi-faceted life with her protestations and sly exclamations. John Pritchard conducts the orchestra with a keen ear for sonic effect within a small auditorium, and the costumes and direction (the latter by Peter Hall) are both quite superb.
If you don't have any other performance of Figaro on DVD, then this is the one you should get.
posted by John Wallen at 6:32 AM 0 comments
DVD Review: von Stade
Summary: 5 Stars
As Cherubion, Frederica Von Stade made tingles race up my spine when she sang Voi che sapete che cosa. This to me is what opera is about- timeless beauty, energy, and dramatic human emotion.
This is the first time I have heard Kiri Te Kanawa, she was divine. The energy and connection between The Countess and Susanna was delightful. Ileana Cotrubas as Susanna was fantastic; she brought a sense of playful, mischievous fun to the role. Ileana made her character feel real for me. Her timing was perfect. She portrayed Susanna as a well rounded flesh and blood young woman- humorous, warm, loving, and loyal as well as being jealous, sneaky, and cunning when necessary. From the women you couldn't have hoped for more.
I bought a copy after I saw it. I had temporarily hooked my DVD player straight to the TV- once I pick up another optic cable and run it through the sound system the sound can only get better.
DVD Review: Light and Airy Version
Summary: 5 Stars
I enjoy this presentation very much as it is light and airy and full of fun. I highly recommend it to anyone wanting to enjoy Te Kanawa early in her career. I also love Ileana Cotrubas and Frederica von Stade. Both are excellent here. Knut Skram makes a fun Figaro.
The Glyndebourne Festival Opera is done on a small stage, making it a more personal presentation. Get it and enjoy it.
Description of Mozart - Le Nozze di Figaro / Te Kanawa, Cotrubas, von Stade, Luxon, Skram, Fryatt; Pritchard, Glyndebourne Opera
Le Nozze di Figaro, Mozart's timeless opera buffa, is one of the greatest of all operatic masterpieces. It is based on Beaumarchais' comedy Le Marriage de Figaro and tells the tale of the servant Figaro, who is about to marry the maid Susanna. Count Almaviva, keeping an eye on Susanna himself, tries to prevent this marriage with the help of Bortolo, the doctor, but is continually thwarted.This exquisite production by Peter Hall, Director of the National Theatre, features a host of renowned opera singers lead by Kiri Te Kanawa as the Countess, the role that made her an international superstar. Knut Skram's charming and likeable take on the character of Figaro works very well with Cotruba's gentle Susanna. Also noteworthy is the outstanding Frederica von Stade, elebrated for her performance in the trouser role of Cherubino.
From the Glyndebourne Festical Opera 1973.
Picture Format: 4:3 . Subtitles: I, D, F, GB, SP
Sound Format: PCM Stereo
Italian DVDs
- Genres > Art House & International > By Original Language
- Musicals & Performing Arts > Classical > By Composer > Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
- By Historical Period > Classical (c.1770-1830)
- Musicals & Performing Arts - Classical - Opera > By Composer > Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
- By Performer > Te Kanawa, Kiri
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