Editorial Reviews
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Herbert von Karajan's 1950 Vienna recording of Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro was the first that was made for the then-new LP medium. Like its EMI predecessor on 78s (the 1934 Fritz Busch/Glyndebourne version), this recording omits all of the recitatives--a ploy that's analogous to removing all of the bridges from Amsterdam's canals. As a result, you get all of Mozart's wonderful arias and group numbers, but not one iota of dramatic continuity and not much character development. More often than not, Karajan substitutes speed for finesse, letting chips of good ensemble playing and singing fall where they might. Still and all, the Vienna Philharmonic's vital work, so full of character, attests to its reputation as a singer's orchestra. And, boy--what singing! It's a joy to encounter Elisabeth Schwarzkopf in her silvery prime as the Countess. Sena Jurinac spins out Cherubino's arias with irrepressible elegance and richness of tone. The same comment holds true for George London's fresh, youthful Almaviva. Irmgard Seefried shines as Susanna, most tellingly so in her lovely Letter Duet with Schwarzkopf. The true heart of the title role lies within the missing recitatives, yet one still can tell that Erich Kunz's Figaro commands vivid presence and style. All in all, Karajan's first recorded Figaro, if hardly the one from which to learn this indestructible masterpiece, will appeal chiefly to aficionados of Mozart singing at its zenith. --Jed Distler
Great Recordings Of The Century - Mozart: Le Nozze Di Figaro / Karajan, London, Schwarzkopf, Seefried, et al, Music, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Wilhelm Felden, Anthony Griffith, Elisabeth Hongen, Sena Jurinac, Erich Kunz, George London, Erich Majkut, Irmgard Seefried, Marjan Rus, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Rosl Schwaiger, Herbert von Karajan, Vienna Philharmonic, Classical, Classical Music, German/Austrian Classical Period Opera, Opera, Opera / Operetta / Oratorio, Opera/Operetta
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