In a letter to his father on 13 October 1781, Mozart wrote, 'Why do Italian comic operas give such pleasure everywhere - in spite of their miserable libretti...?' Because the music reigns supreme: when one listens to it all else is forgotten. Why an opera is sure of success when the plot is well worked out, the words written solely for the music and not shoved in here and there to suit some miserable rhyme... The best thing of all is when a good composer, who understands the stage and is talented enough to make sound suggestions, meets an able poet, that true Phoenix. 'Two years before he had met Lorenzo da Ponte, Mozart's frustration with the present condition of opera had reached boiling point. The collaboration between the two men produced three of the greatest operas in the repertoire - Figaro, Don Giovanni and CosÃ¬ fan tutte. Adapting the second play in Beaumarchais' trilogy, da Ponte skillfully navigated a risky path through the plot that had lead to Emperor Joseph II (da Ponte had become court poet thanks to an introduction from Antonio Salieri) banning it. Themes of greedy aristocrats and officials lording it up over the common man who struggled to make ends meet was dangerous stuff when the French Revolution was being observed with horror by the crowned heads of Europe. Mindful of this, da Ponte produced a wonderful libretto, informing the Emperor of it's revised 'non-offensive' content at every turn. Mozart was under no such constraints, and his wonderful score when set to da Ponte's words restores the daring satire and social commentary of the play in perhaps the most perfect opera ever composed. The premiere took place in Vienna in 1786.

Tracklist:

Le Nozze Di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), Opera, K. 492: Overture
Le Nozze Di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), Opera, K. 492: Act
Cinque... Dieci... Venti... Trenta
Le Nozze Di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), Opera, K. 492: Act
Se a Caso Madama
Le Nozze Di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), Opera, K. 492: Act
Se Vuol Ballare
Le Nozze Di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), Opera, K. 492: Act
La Vendetta, Oh, la Vendetta
Le Nozze Di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), Opera, K. 492: Act
Via, Resti Servita
Le Nozze Di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), Opera, K. 492: Act
Non So PiÃ¹ Cosa Son, Cosa Faccio
Le Nozze Di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), Opera, K. 492: Act
Cosa Sento! Tosto Andate
Le Nozze Di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), Opera, K. 492: Act
Giovani Liete
Le Nozze Di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), Opera, K. 492: Act
Non PiÃ¹ Andrai, Farfallone Amoroso
Le Nozze Di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), Opera, K. 492: Act
Porgi, Amor
Le Nozze Di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), Opera, K. 492: Act
Voi, Che Sapete
Le Nozze Di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), Opera, K. 492: Act
Venite, Inginocchiatevi
Le Nozze Di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), Opera, K. 492: Act
Che NovitÃ !
Le Nozze Di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), Opera, K. 492: Act
Susanna, or Via Sortite
Le Nozze Di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), Opera, K. 492: Act
Aprite, Presto, Aprite
Le Nozze Di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), Opera, K. 492: Act
Esci Ormai, Garzon Malnato
Le Nozze Di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), Opera, K. 492: Act
Signori, Di Fuori
Le Nozze Di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), Opera, K. 492: Act
Ah, Signor, Signor!
Le Nozze Di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), Opera, K. 492: Act
Voi, Signor, Che Giusto Siete
Le Nozze Di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), Opera, K. 492: Act
Che Imbarazzo E Mai Questo!
Le Nozze Di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), Opera, K. 492: Act
Le Nozze Di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), Opera, K. 492: Act
Hai GiÃ Vinta la Causa!
Le Nozze Di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), Opera, K. 492: Act
E Susanna Non Vien!
Le Nozze Di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), Opera, K. 492: Act
Riconosci in Questo Amplesso
Le Nozze Di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), Opera, K. 492: Act
Io VI Dico, Signor
Le Nozze Di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), Opera, K. 492: Act
Sull'aria
Le Nozze Di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), Opera, K. 492: Act
Ricevete, O Padroncina
Le Nozze Di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), Opera, K. 492: Act
Ecco la Marcia
Le Nozze Di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), Opera, K. 492: Act
L'ho Perduta... Me Meschina!
Le Nozze Di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), Opera, K. 492: Act
Il Capro E la Capretta
Le Nozze Di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), Opera, K. 492: Act
in Quegli Anni, in Cui Val Poco
Le Nozze Di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), Opera, K. 492: Act
Tutto E Disposto
Le Nozze Di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), Opera, K. 492: Act
Giunse Alfin Il Momento
Le Nozze Di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), Opera, K. 492: Act
Pian, Pianini, Le AndrÃ² PiÃ¹ Presso
Le Nozze Di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), Opera, K. 492: Act
Gente, Gente, All'armi, All'armi

UPC: 842977039665
Label: Brilliant Classics
Release Date: 2.9.10
Format: CD

W.A. Mozart - Nozze Di Figaro (Box) (CD)