Recordings - CD
Mozart - Le nozze di Figaro
Label:
Deutsche Grammophon 419 179-2 (original release)
Conductor: James Levine
Orchestra: Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
Running Time: 2 hrs. 58 min. (3 CDs)
Highlight disc also released
Availability: Currently Available
Cast:
Figaro - Ferruccio Furlanetto
Susanna - Dawn Upshaw
Countess Almanviva - Kiri Te Kanawa
Count Almaviva - Thomas Hampson
Cherubino - Anne Sofie Von Otter
Don Basilio - Anthony Laciura
Dr. Bartolo - Paul Plishka
Marcellina - Tatiana Troyanos
Don Curzio - Michael Forest
Barbarina - Heidi Grant
Antonio - Renato Capecchi
Notes:
Booklet includes essay, synopsis, photos; libretto in four languages. Recitative is accompanied by pianoforte instead of harpsichord.
Hampson's Count is suave rather than peremptory, and Upshaw's cute/pert characterization of Susanna seems forced at times, but over all this is another excellent Figaro. Te Kanawa is better here than on the Solti recording (London). Furlanetto has a way of inhabiting a character that is utterly convincing. In addition, he may hold the distinction of being the only recorded Figaro to give a convincing 'oof' when slapped by Susanna in the garden scene.
