The star-power of this cast of Figaro is nothing short of dizzying. In the title role, José van Dam is commanding yet approachable, paired beautifully with Ileana Cotrubas's well-rounded Susanna. Both radiate a natural charm without resorting to cutesiness. Frederica von Stade's Cherubino bursts with youthful energy and a surprising emotional depth, while Anna Tomowa-Sintow offers some truly sublime, full-throated singing as the Countess. Unencumbered by the constraints of modern period performance practices, Herbert von Karajan allows the drama to shape his musical choices. Some of his tempi may catch listeners off guard, but within the emotional arc of the story, they make perfect sense and heighten the opera's theatricality.