Mozart: Le Nozze di Figaro - M. Price, G. Evans, Braun; Montgomery. London, 1975

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Kenneth Montgomery leads an accurate, rather restrained reading of Le Nozze di Figaro, but that is not to say his cast does not cut loose and deliver when called upon. Leading the way is Margaret Price, whose gorgeous instrument and remarkable understanding of style make for an arresting Countess. Victor Braun, as her husband, gives a rousing rendition of his third-act aria and is often the funniest person in the cast. Geraint Evans sounds rather avuncular for Figaro, especially opposite Elizabeth Robson’s pert, youthful Susanna, but there is no one more accurate than he when it comes to this role. Trudeleise Schmidt is a rather bland Cherubino, though she sings “Voi che spate” sweetly, and the comedy trio of Clifford Grant, Heather Begg and Alexander Oliver, as Bartolo, Marcellina and Basilio, were the best Covent Garden had to offer for quite some time.

OD 11221-3

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DL
03/27/2020
David L.

Great Performance in Good Sound!

This is a thoroughly delightful performance of Nozze di Figaro, one that in its day was probably taken for granted. Evans was a famous Figaro and rightly so. There's little he doesn't express in the part and his voice is still impressive. Robson has a lovely, shimmering soprano and carries her part of the evening with distinction. I especially enjoyed her limpid sexy rendition of "Deh, vieni non tardar". She sings quite a few appoggiature both here and elsewhere as does Price. Price is a dream Countess, singing assertive top Cs in the Act Two trio and then bringing the house down with her gorgeous "Dove sono". She was a treasure. Braun sings the Count very well indeed with excellent diction and Schmidt is a good, if somewhat faceless Cherubino. The supporting singers are drawn from Covent Garden's terrific house singers, all of whom are excellent here. Begg and Grant make a suitably slimy pair of schemers, Oliver an unctuous Basilio. Montgomery keeps the show moving. As David M. notes below, the recitatives are very well-done. The sound is certainly listenable, the disc breaks well-chosen. All Figaro lovers should have this.

DM
08/10/2018
David M.
United States

Great night at the Garden

One caveat: Parts of this in-house recording (which has a good voice/orchestra balance) are afflicted with overload, but not so much so as to compromise enjoyment. A nearly all-Commonwealth cast (plus guest star Trudeliese Schmidt) testifies to the depth of talent Covent Garden could call upon -- the contrast with the present day is too sad to draw. Geraint Evans is getting long in the tooth for Figaro but still makes a very dangerous antagonist for Victor Braun's Count Almaviva, alternately palpitating with **** and vindictiveness. Elizabeth Robson's rapid-vibrato sounds small even for Covent Garden (which may explain her lack of an international career) but she's a beautiful-sounding saucy baggage of a Susanna. Schmidt's rubicund mezzo is perfectly suited to the sensual curves of Cherubino's music and Margaret Price (the only cast member seemingly to have heard of appogiature) is a Countess beyond praise ... well, OK, her trill could be better. Full of gravitas and even menace, Clifford Grant is the Bartolo by whom all others (even Kurt Moll) must be measured, while Alexander Oliver is a coldly malign Basilio. Kenneth Montgomery's fleet leadership keeps the evening on the move, particularly in the conversation, quicksilver recitatives which do not suffer from that "See Spot run" ponderousness which too many Metropolitan Opera broadcasts have taught us. So, probably not your only "Figaro" (due to the sonics) but one to treasure.