Mozart - Le Nozze Di Figaro [DVD] [2010]

I have the Böhm / Ponnelle version of this opera and I like it very much. The main characters in that version are credible and real life persons. It is a serious aproach. Only the lesser roles are one dimensional (specially dr Bartolo).

This ROH version emphasis the funny part of the opera. The count giving away his cover as he finds out that Cherubino has interest in his wife. Figaro limping away as he says he hurts his foot after jumping from the balcony and running back as he tries to get the letter from the gardiner. The countess and Susanna taking interest in Cherubino as he is dressed as a girl. Not over the edge as in the Salzburg production, but in a amusing way. The audience is picking this up and is laughing about the visual and textual jokes.

The choreograhy is very much inspired by the music. This works out well.
Recommended as an enjoyable lighter version of the Nozze di Figaro.

Mozart: Le Nozze Di Figaro [Blu-ray] [2006]

According to Stage Director David McVicar the special thrust of this fine production is the wedding of Figaro representing freedom of choice and not purely contractual considerations as contrasted by Figaro's obligations under his loan agreement with Marcellina: personally I did not notice this emphasis in practice.

The action is placed in post revolution France in 1830, with fairly traditional staging and fine costumes, my only question is that the excellent Susanna of Miah Persson is slightly undermined by elaborate costumes and jewellery that are completely inappropriate for a ladies maid.

The singing is superb, always in sympathy with Mozart's intentions rightly expressed as "a miracle of music" by conductor Pappano in a rather inadequate "making of" documentary.

Erwin Schrott portrays Figaro as a warm and engaging character, costumes apart Miah Persson is a lovely and lively Susanna, and Gerald Finley as Almaviva provides just the right levels of aggression in his callous treatment of his Countess and in his passion for Susanna. Rinat Shaham gives a fascinating performance of the aria "voi che sapete" bringing out all the adolescent longing and uncertainties with a success I have not encountered before.

Another great performance of the Countess by Dorothea Roschmann, she recorded this traditional performance in February 2006 and the riveting Salzburg version in July 2006 where "Nozze" is directed as an Ibsen or Strindberg play or an Ingmar Bergman film: there the Act 11 confrontation between the Count and Countess is an electrifying clash between two people locked in a volcanic love hate relationship of overwhelming passion. This Salzburg 2006 version is a revelation and a wonderful companion piece to this lovely performance.

Finally the Blu ray HD glows on the screen, stereo sound on my "AKG K240 Studio Professional" headphones was adequate with the singers always in focus, (sound is criticised on some of the DVD reviews).

Not to be missed.

Since other reviewers have commented at length on the musical aspects of this production, I will concentrate here on the staging. Technically it is excellent, but I am rather baffled as to why it was chosen to set this in early 19th century France. This would only make sense if the French Revolution had never occurred! As it is, we see what is essentially still a pre-1789 aristocratic household, amazingly surviving into the 19th century completely unscathed, and with all its attitudes and prejudices of the earlier period intact. Surely by 1830 Count Almaviva's plan to reintroduce the 'droit du seigneur' would have been utterly unthinkable with the noise of the mob and shadow of the guillotine in the background?

Unfortunately, musically excellent and visually appealing as this production is, it means it is completely lacking in any historical credibility, which is irritating for a member of the audience with any sense of history, (or indeed of geography - the several references to nearby Seville no longer make any sense).