MOZART - Le nozze di Figaro
In Le nozze di Figaro took quite a risk by composing an opera which depicts the nobility caught in infidelitys and the victory of a servant over his master: Beaumarchais’ plays featuring a barber in Seville had already created quite a stir in Paris. But the work was a great success, and over 200 years after its premiere it is regarded as one of the great operatic masterpieces. Each major character has at least one aria and each act has a major ensemble, and you will find any number of them featured in opera compilations and singer recitals. Likewise in the cinema: one duet – the canzonetta ‘Sull’aria’ – where the Countess dictates a letter of assignation to Susanna – was used to memorable effect in the film The Shawshank Redemption. This recording was made in 1959 and is cast from well-known Mozart singers; indeed, four were recording Don Giovanni at the same time – Giuseppe Taddei, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Eberhard Wächter and Piero Cappuccilli. The Philharmonia Orchestra and Chorus are conducted by the legendary Carlo Maria Giulini.

0946 3 58602 2 1 (2CDs)
0946 3 58602 5 2 (Digital Download)