munkus's Full Review: Mozart: Le nozze di Figaro / Giulini, Taddei, Moff...
This CD is released by EMI Classics and is a re-release of a 1989 remastering of a 1961 recording. The opera is Le Nozze di Figaro by Mozart with a libretto by da Ponte based on a play by Beaumarchais. It was premiered in Vienna on May 1, 1786.
The history of the opera is largely covered in an earlier review of another Figaro CD I did here and I needn't repeat myself- suffice to say it totally rocks out.
I have quite a few opera CDs and I can say without hesitation that this is the most perfect in my collection. Everything about it- everything- is just so supremely perfect I often find myself listening to it compulsively- knowing that if I change to another CD it will be a let down (even if it is my Previn recording of the Ravel operas). Part of this of course is Mozart's mindblowingly, creaming-the-pants perfection in the three hours of score without a single wasted note and a characterisation through music which had never been so strong in history, and has rarely been matched since. This recording with the Philharmonia Chorus and Orchestra conducted by Carlo Maria Giulini is possibly very nearly the equal to Mozart's music.
The problem with listening to Mozart compulsively is that it can really get stuck in your head and go round and round until, without realising it, you're actually singing out loud. This, coincidentally, is a great way to get a seat to yourself on the bus.
This occurs most with the Overture. Possibly one of the finest overtures in all the operatic repertoire it is only four minutes long and devilishly fast- and devilishly easy to get stuck in the head. For DAYS on end. It's also fun to sing out loud. The Philharmonia Orchestra is probably a little large in these post authenticity-movement days but play so exquisitely under Giulani's baton it really doesn't matter. He truly has a sense of tension-release in the music- a simple element of Mozart but often overlooked in the naive belief that all Mozart is 'pretty'.
One of the many joys of this double CD is the perfection of the cast- and I mean every single one of them. Even the minor roles best exampled by the sheer beauty Elisabetta Fusco gives the minor role of Barbarina in her one short, and rather pointless, aria at the beginning of Act IV- L'ho perduta, me meschina.
Each of the four principals is mindblowingly outstanding- Giuseppe Taddei (who was quite the barihunk at the time of the recording) gives Figaro a healthy robustness of tone without a rough edge- this is a Figaro you can imagine stripped to the waist as he measures the space for the marital bed in the opening duet Cinque, dieci, vente. Anna Moffo has a charming sound as Susanna- a role which has surprising demands of technique as it uses a wide range (especially for the time of writing) and quite often has to soar above quite busy parts (though such is Mozart's orchestral powers it is always written so it can be done- it's just a bit of a b/tch). Moffo's characterisation is also delightfully brilliant- her little squeal at the end of her short duet Aprite presto, aprite in Act II is wonderful and always raises a smile.
The Count is sung by Eberhard Wachter who gives a powerful and imposing performance- exactly what the role requires, even when it is taking a begging tone towards the end of each Act.
It is the role of the Countess which primarily lifts The Marriage of Figaro from a knockabout commedia dell'arte farce to a human dramedy. Mozart's psychological characterisation through her music lifts her beyond a stereotype to a real, living, thinking, loving person onstage. He does this with every character, but it is most evident with the Countess' music of sublime yearning- Porgi amor and Dove sono. It is fitting then that the role is performed by a grand dame- Elisabeth Schwarzkopf who gives the role such dignity and grace it's breathtaking.
The secondary roles are equally well done. Cherubino (a pants role), who has some of the hardest arias in the opera, is given an impish and nimble sound by Fiorenza Cossotto whilst Bartolo has the stumbling oafish qualities of Ivo Vinco. Marcellina, who starts as quite a sneery character is played with perfect diction (even in those startling runs of fast Italian triplets) by Dora Gatta.
If I can be a little opera-wanky for a moment, a comparison to that earlier highlights CD is interesting- particularly in the character of Susanna. Kathleen Battle's Susanna is pitch perfect- her Se a caso madama is like a series of little bells dinging. Each note is perfectly shaped with a sort of glossy crystalline sheen. It is very elegant and polished- and for Susanna this makes it a little inappropriate. Susanna is a lusty, shrewd, loving, considerate character and Moffo's singing imparts much more joie de vivre than Battle's.
It goes without saying that Mozart's music is stunning- but nowhere more so is this obvious than in the Overture, the Countess' two arias and the rousing extended finale to Act II with all the principals and secondaries going full belt in the confusion-opera-buffa stakes. It's exhilarating to listen to on this recording. Giulini also picks up on many of the little details in Mozart's score which make all the difference- the horns fortepiano in the Act II finale at around Mente il ceffo io gia non mento (prior to the entrance of Antonio) managed to spine tingling with only one note.
The only downside to this recording is the cut of two arias at the beginning of Act IV- Marcellina's Il capro, e la capretta and Basilio's In quegl'anni in cui val poco. I would've preffered EMI to cut down on all the recit- especially the endless passages that open Act III- and leave the arias in.
The CD comes with a very comprehensive booklet which provides a plot outline (very useful) and detailed track listings (also useful- this is not an easy opera to follow on a recording alone- especially when it's in Italian).
This is an absolute must-have of a CD for anyone with a passing interest or more in opera or Mozart. Even if you're not into either, this CD is a superb investment and I can guarantee you'll be hooked within days.
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