BaL 2.04.22 - Mozart: The Marriage of Figaro

[LHC]

On CD I have Kleiber, Karajan, Davis, JEG, Solti and Muti.

On DVD/Blu Ray I have Korsten, Harnoncourt, Ticciati, Pappano, Pritchard, Haitink, JEG, Metzmacher and Welser Most, as well as several more versions recorded from broadcasts from the BBC and others which aren’t commercially available.

[Bryn]

I wonder whether the 'musical' version broadcast on BBC tv many years ago is available on DVD or Youtube?

Looks like it made it to VHS but not DVD:

[DoctorT]

I have exactly the same three versions. What are the odds of that?

As do I!

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Especially now that he/she has decided to become gender fluid as per the monster listing (for which, as ever, most grateful thanks) - "Wilhelmina" indeed

Now corrected. Thank you.

[Darloboy]

Previous BaLs:

Robert Philip (August 1980) - Deutsche Oper Berlin/Böhm + Erich Kleiber as runner-up

Alan Blyth (September 1991) - Östman + Giulini (2nd choice/modern instruments) + Haitink (cassette choice) + Gui (super bargain choice)

Hilary Finch (September 2000) - Gui + Marriner (2nd choice). She also recommended Östman as a period choice.

Sarah Lenton (May 2014) - this programme considered DVD versions only; 1st choice was Pappano with Gardiner best of the period versions

[Darloboy]

While I have no problem with a major cornerstone of the repertoire like The Marriage of Figaro getting another outing, it has been covered in various forms more recently than Cosi, which hasn't been done since John Steane reccommened JEG in March 1997. Cosi is long overdue a BAL.

Agreed. Così is surely a core work for any library. It's strange to leave it untouched for a quarter of a century. Although given that this is only the second opera to feature so far this season (and that's stretching the definition of opera to include The Merry Widow), we may still have a long wait!

[Barbirollians]

Agreed. Così is surely a core work for any library. It's strange to leave it untouched for a quarter of a century. Although given that this is only the second opera to feature so far this season (and that's stretching the definition of opera to include The Merry Widow), we may still have a long wait!

Well they have just been spotted leaving Beethoven PC 4 for over 20 years - I just think it appears to be sloppy failure to keep proper records of when works were last done. Hence, works from 10-11 years ago reappearing again.

Back to Figaro I have Frttz Busch, Erich Kleiber, Giulini , Gui but my favourite is the CD Bohm - largely because Gundula Janowitz's Countess is in a class of its own to my ears.

[Wolfram]

but my favourite is the CD Bohm - largely because Gundula Janowitz's Countess is in a class of its own to my ears.

......and to mine.

[Darloboy]

I'll be interested to see whether the somewhat divisive Currentzis recording (of which I'm rather fond) makes the shortlist - assuming anything Russian's not being boycotted at the moment.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I'll be interested to see whether the somewhat divisive Currentzis recording (of which I'm rather fond) makes the shortlist - assuming anything Russian's not being boycotted at the moment.

Why is it divisive?

[Barbirollians]

I’ve just given Act 1 of the Furtwängler a spin. Utterly superb - such a beautifully judged understanding of Mozart’s music. Despite my earlier comment, I think it would be difficult to improve on WF.

Isn't it in German ? I think I might struggle with that rather more than Parsifal in Italian.

[Darloboy]

Why is it divisive?

Some think it's the greatest Mozart recording ever made https://www.theguardian.com/music/20...-mozart-operas, whilst others feel it doesn't live up to the claims made on its behalf: https://www.gramophone.co.uk/review/...ze-di-figaro-0.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Some think it's the greatest Mozart recording ever made https://www.theguardian.com/music/20...-mozart-operas, whilst others feel it doesn't live up to the claims made on its behalf: https://www.gramophone.co.uk/review/...ze-di-figaro-0.

Oh, now I get it. He reminds me of another conductor who makes spurious claims.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Back to Figaro I have Frttz Busch, Erich Kleiber, Giulini , Gui but my favourite is the CD Bohm - largely because Gundula Janowitz's Countess is in a class of its own to my ears.

Sadly, the Bohm/Janowitz is now download only, though there are 3 other CD versions and 2 DVDs that are conducted by Karl Bohm.

[Bryn]

Sadly, the Bohm/Janowitz is now download only, though there are 3 other CD versions and 2 DVDs that are conducted by Karl Bohm.

If used is acceptable: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000001G...ur_lnd_albm_hd

There is a "New" one there but at a somewhat inflated price.