Le Nozze Di Figaro (DVD)

Advantages: Comic opera, beautiful melodies, superb ensembles
Disadvantages: Cannot compare to a live performance

...Opera is fast becoming far more accessible with regular performances staged at many UK theatres and a wide selection of DVDs and CDs now available. Ticket prices to live performances are however often very costly which can be prohibitive and off-putting. The last time I attended an opera, which was earlier this year, the tickets cost me £34 each (and these weren?t the best seats). Whilst, I much prefer watching a live performance, the cost does limit the amount of productions I can attend. DVDs provide an alternative opportunity to watch a performance recorded live at some the world?s best venues. The ambience won?t compare but it will enable viewing from the comfort of your home and you can move around freely. This 2 disc DVD recording of Mozart? opera, Le Nozze di Figaro (The marriage of Figaro, was recorded live in Zurich... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Great singing and lively performances
Disadvantages: Live recording noises! Quite expensive

...If anyone had told me 4 years ago that I would become a huge opera buff I probably would have laughed in their face! But here I am, spending my money on buying operatic recordings, going to see operas, and singing opera. If you’re looking for an introduction to the world of opera, you won’t find a more perfect introduction than Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro - filled with wonderfully drawn characters and ‘hummable’ Mozart melodies, this was the first opera that really caught my interest and is still my favourite. ---Synopsis--- The opera is set in Spain (but is sung in Italian!) and the action takes place over the course of one day - the wedding day of Figaro and Susanna, both servants to the Count and Countess Almaviva. Unfortunately for the couple, the Count fancies Susanna and, as well as stalling... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: The instruments actually manage to sing to each other!
Disadvantages: If there is any I'd like to know.

...viewing. ---Le Nozze di Figaro--- 'Le Nozze di Figaro' or more popularly known as 'The Marriage of Figaro' is a monument of western art and is one of Mozart's most widely recognised songs. Although an opera I've here tried to describe the music, as unless you buy a DVD video of the opera you would not neccessarily understand the plot (and anywhay I'd prefer to conjour up my own thoughts for the music). It starts simply with just one instrument playing a few notes gradually picking up in speed and complexity and then quickly infuses many parts of the orchestra to bring its powerful effect up to full strength for the listener. It then calms to a more gentle pace as if one section of the orchestra were talking to the other and in turn replying. Later in the middle of the piece the conversation between the instruments gradually intensifies... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful