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From Amazon.co.uk
Mozart's immortal adaptation of Beaumarchais' satirical tale has always been a Glyndebourne staple, so it was appropriate that this delightfully traditional production of Le Nozze di Figaro was chosen to reopen a refurbished Gyndebourne in May, 1994. Here, John Gunter's set design is airy and uncluttered, leaving the actors plenty of breathing space, while director Stephen Medcalf likewise allows the characters to speak (and sing) for themselves. Gerald Finley's Figaro and Alison Hagley's Susanna make a charming central pairing; Renee Fleming and Andreas Schmidt are a formidable aristocratic duo, while Marie-Ange Todorovitch fills Cherubino's trousers with pleasing playfulness. Haitink and the London Philharmonic sparkle, as of course they should. Unfussily filmed, this is as close to the real thing as you are likely to get without a Glyndebourne season ticket.
On the DVD: This is a double-sided disc requiring a changeover between Acts 2 and 3. With a running-time of 189 minutes, the disc is no longer than some epic Hollywood movies, so such flipping is hard to justify. But at least opera lends itself to natural breaks like this. The sound options are Dolby stereo or 5.1 and the picture is in 4:3 ratio. Subtitles are provided in English, French or German and the booklet contains a plot synopsis. --Mark Walker
Product Description
Nozze Di Figaro (Le)
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By Aquinas
Format:DVD
If it were not for the poor sound quality, this would be five stars; but in the modern age, there is an expectation that a DVD should produce quality sound and this does not. This opera is one of the greatest artistic achievements in the world ever; the music is simply stunning; its ecstatic music that makes one rejoice in simply being.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By Johnny B
Format:DVD
I've had this around 10 years now, and it's still transporting me in safe and legal ways!
Given that this is a live performance, with scenes in semi-darkness, I'm astounded by the audio and video quality, even allowing for the fact the recording is 15 years old.
The production is just so good with no major weaknesses to my eyes & ears, that any minor imperfections, or I would have done that differently, just fade into insignificance. It really doesn't matter, this is so wonderful, enjoy.
Given that this is a live performance, with scenes in semi-darkness, I'm astounded by the audio and video quality, even allowing for the fact the recording is 15 years old.
The production is just so good with no major weaknesses to my eyes & ears, that any minor imperfections, or I would have done that differently, just fade into insignificance. It really doesn't matter, this is so wonderful, enjoy.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By KazM
Format:DVD
Vocally and visually, this is a very satisfying production made by the Glyndebourne Festival Opera in 1994. Musically there is hardly any weakness, while the sets and staging are traditional and admirable.
All the four main characters are ideally cast: they sing well and look their roles. Alison Hagley (Susanna) - an attractive singer - is particularly delightful in her singing and acting. She is one of the best Susannas this reviewer has seen and listened to. Gerald Finley (Figaro) is excellent in characterization. Andreas Schmidt is a youthful Count, and Renee Fleming is a very good, if slightly mannered, Countess. The supporting cast is also very good.
Haitink's pacing is superb: he does not drive the music hard, giving the singers ample opportunities to sing the wonderfull tunes. One can just sit back and enjoy this comical masterpiece about feudal rights. One will get carried away by the genius of Mozart and da Ponte.
Both the picture quality and the stereo sound are excellent. The camera work is good, often focusing on singers in close-ups, but it does not get too obtrusive. This DVD is a bargain, as the recording (lasting three hours), which includes features about the cast and characters, is made on both sides of one DVD, thus relatively low price.
All the four main characters are ideally cast: they sing well and look their roles. Alison Hagley (Susanna) - an attractive singer - is particularly delightful in her singing and acting. She is one of the best Susannas this reviewer has seen and listened to. Gerald Finley (Figaro) is excellent in characterization. Andreas Schmidt is a youthful Count, and Renee Fleming is a very good, if slightly mannered, Countess. The supporting cast is also very good.
Haitink's pacing is superb: he does not drive the music hard, giving the singers ample opportunities to sing the wonderfull tunes. One can just sit back and enjoy this comical masterpiece about feudal rights. One will get carried away by the genius of Mozart and da Ponte.
Both the picture quality and the stereo sound are excellent. The camera work is good, often focusing on singers in close-ups, but it does not get too obtrusive. This DVD is a bargain, as the recording (lasting three hours), which includes features about the cast and characters, is made on both sides of one DVD, thus relatively low price.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
Ok if you have a Krall 50,000amp amplifier I guess.
Who was on the cxxxing mixer desk? 8 year old Tobias Smedley who turned the volume down? Also the direction mics were hopeless. Read more
Published on 19 Jan 2011 by E. Coolican
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mozart operas
I believe that the Glyndbourne productions of Mozart's are some of the best ever, and this version of the Marriage of Figaro gives all the depth and emotion that this popular opera... Read more
Published on 12 May 2009 by musicfan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another rental gem
Finding good DVD titles of any description to rent is always a problem for us: most of the best films we have seen in the cinema and don't want to waste a rental on seeing them... Read more
Published on 22 Dec 2007 by Ivon of Windermere
3.0 out of 5 stars
Così fan .... molti
La qualità sonora è proprio mediocre. A questo si aggiunge una dizione veramente scadente, difficile da tollerare in una recita avvenuta nella Nazione del teatro ed... Read more
Published on 20 Feb 2007 by C. Franco
5.0 out of 5 stars
Figaro on a double-sided DVD.
Many things combine to make this an ideal production to enjoy in the home. There are enough shots of the newly-enlarged opera house at Glyndebourne to remind us that we are at an... Read more
Published on 29 Aug 2006 by John Austin
3.0 out of 5 stars
Sound quality subpar...and what's the deal with having Renee
Fleming rolling around on the ground during "Deh vieni..."?
Alison Hagley as Susanna was delicious and her chemistry with Gerald Finley is one of the highlights. Read more
Alison Hagley as Susanna was delicious and her chemistry with Gerald Finley is one of the highlights. Read more
Published on 15 Mar 2004
5.0 out of 5 stars
Outstanding
The quality of the sound, picture, Glyndebourne settings are exceptional. Very moving performances interwoven with the normal Mozartian whims. Read more
Published on 25 Jun 2003 by Stu
4.0 out of 5 stars
Faboulous singing, 1 point deducted for visuals
I subscribe to everything that was said about singing. It is indeed first-rate, and so is Haitink’s conducting. But the visuals are no match for the performance. Read more
Published on 11 Mar 2003 by "anterovirkkala"
5.0 out of 5 stars
Superb
A very high quality DVD: my personal favourite in opera. Alison Hagley makes a very fine Susanna, both dramatically and vocally, and Renee Fleming makes an excellent job of the... Read more
Published on 31 Aug 2002 by Kirsten Ruth Bayes
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic perfomance - great singers!
What can I say? I can only recommend this DVD because it's absolutely gorgeous. The soloists are not only fantastic singers but also great actors. Read more
Published on 29 Aug 2002 by Sabine Zimmermann
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