Product: Mozart:Marriage of Figaro [VHS]
Rating: 5.0
What A Great Figaro!!!!!!!!!!
What can I say but, "Wow!" when I see something like this. This video is astounding!!!!!! First off, Kiri te Kanawa and Frederica von Stade are probably the most famous Countesses and Cherubinos around today. Dame Kiri's, "Dove sono" and von Stade's "Voi che sapete" (always two of my favorites) steal the show. Knut Skram, though relatively unknown, gives a great performance as Figaro- his, "Se vuol ballare" is now tied with Samuel Ramey's as my favorite version of this song. Ileana Cotrubas makes a funny, playful Susanna, if a bit overshadowed by Dame Kiri. Benjamin Luxon makes an ideal Count, with a fabulous Act 3 aria, "Vedro mentr'io sospiro." The smaller parts are all quite good, especially Marius Rintzler as Bartolo- he made me laugh a million times, especially in the Act 3 Sextet. Though Sir John Pritchard may not have as tight a grip on this score as, oh, Bernard Haitink or Sir Georg Solti, but he keeps the orchestra under control well, and the sets are authentic and impressive. Here's what to look forward to in this video: A fabulous "Voi che sapete," a beautiful "Dove sono," a few great costumes- Cherubino, the Count, an incredible Act II and Act IV finale, In all, a great video, I really suggest it.