Genres
Production Companies
Unitel Classics
Universal Pictures
The Marriage of Figaro (Le nozze di Figaro)
Overview
Mozart's Marriage of Figaro is a comedy whose dark undertones explore the blurred boundaries between dying feudalism and emerging Enlightenment. Herman Prey's Figaro is admirably sung in a firm baritone and aptly characterized. So too, is his antagonist, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau as the Count perpetually frustrated by the scheming wiles of Figaro and Susanna, here the perky Mirella Freni, who sings and acts like a dream. The Countess is creamy-voiced Kiri Te Kanawa, and the Cherubino, Maria Ewing, looks just like the horny, teenaged page she's supposed to be. The all-star leads are complemented by worthy supporting singers, the Vienna Philharmonic at the top of its form, and the experienced Mozartian, Karl Böhm conducting a stylishly fleet performance.
Key Crew
Director: Jean-Pierre Ponnelle
Writer: Lorenzo da Ponte
Director of Photography: Ernst Wild
Screenplay: Jean-Pierre Ponnelle, Jean-Louis Martinoty
Top Cast
Hermann Prey
Figaro
Mirella Freni
Susanna
Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
Il Conte di Almaviva
Kiri Te Kanawa
La Contessa di Almaviva
Maria Ewing
Cherubino
Heather Begg
Marcellina
Paolo Montarsolo
Bartolo
John van Kesteren
Basilio
