Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro

Available for 29 days

The Marriage of Figaro from the Royal Opera House: Alex Esposito, Louise Alder, Andrey Zhilikhovsky and Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha star as Figaro, Susanna, the Count and the Countess in David McVicar’s classic staging of Le nozze di Figaro, the work that confirmed Mozart’s status as the premier opera composer of his day. From the bustling Overture to its poignant conclusion, The Marriage of Figaro is brimful of wonderful music. The bouncing tune of Figaro's ironic farewell to Cherubino in 'Non più andrai' (You shall go no more), as he packs the amorous teenager off to war, and Cherubino’s lovestruck aria to the Countess, ‘Voi che sapete’ (You who know what love is), combines a sweet, pleading melody with an entertaining account of the first pangs of teenage lust became so famous that they were whistled on the streets of Vienna. Meanwhile, the Countess’ aria 'Dove sono' (Where are they [those happy moments]) eloquently conveys her pain and heartbreak as she longs for past happiness. Mozart’s opera also contains entertaining ensemble pieces, such as the closing scene of Act II, in which Figaro's plans unravel at breakneck speed. As so often with Mozart, forgiveness is a key theme, and the Count's Act IV plea to his wife, 'Contessa, perdono' (Countess, forgive me), is another highlight of Mozart's genius. Aside from its miraculous musical qualities, the work has exceptional emotional range. Sex farce jostles with deep psychological predicaments, buffoonery with the most complex of human feelings, and an ending tinged with melancholy. Presented by Andrew McGregor with guest, Catriona Seth, Marshal Foch Professor of French Literature at Oxford University. Mozart: The Marriage of Figaro - Le nozze di Figaro (Opera in Four Acts) Libretto, Lorenzo da Ponte after Beaumarchais's La folle journée, ou Le mariage de Figaro Figaro ..... Alex Esposito Susanna ..... Louise Alder Count Almaviva ..... Andrey Zhilikhovsky Countess Almaviva ..... Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha Cherubino ..... Svetlina Stoyanova Bartolo ..... Carlo Lepore Marcellina ..... Rosie Aldridge Don Basilio ..... Gregory Bonfatti Antonio .... Mark Saberton Don Curzio ..... Colin Judson Barbarina ..... Marianna Hovanisyan First Bridesmaid ..... Caroline Modiba Second Bridesmaid ..... Miranda Westcott Chorus and Orchestra of the Royal Opera House Bertrand de Billy (conductor) Recorded Live at The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.