Product Details

• Actors: Ildebrando d'Arcangelo, Anna Netrebko, Bo Skovhus, Dorothea Röschmann, Christine Schäfer
• Directors: Brian Large
• Format: Classical, Color, Subtitled, DTS Surround Sound
• Language: Italian (DTS-HD 5.1), Italian (PCM Stereo)
• Subtitles: German, English, French, Spanish
• Region: All Regions
• Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Deutsche Grammophon
• DVD Release Date: November 18, 2008
• Run Time: 197 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B001CZVVVY
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #146,696 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

MOZART:LE NOZZE DI FIGARO - Blu-Ray Movie

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Better listened to then watched!, January 1, 2009

By 

Thomas E. Ascher (Sedona, AZ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mozart: Le Nozze di Figaro [Blu-ray] (Blu-ray)

What a missed opportunity! Great performers, great orchestra, in a perverse, misguided direction! An extra character has been introduced who goes around grimacing, juggling, tossing oranges and apples around the set during the action, or caressing or making teasing actions at the characters distracting from the action. And talk about sparse; Susanna sings her opening aria about her hat without wearing or holding one! Most of action takes place on a bare set with no furniture. This is a travesty and a disappointment. I was so hoping for a new production with wide screen, superb sound and top performers but this is not it.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well at least someone likes this one..., September 29, 2009

By 

M. Van Loon (the Netherlands) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mozart: Le Nozze di Figaro [Blu-ray] (Blu-ray)

I find this a superb recording of a beautiful opera. The decor is modern and sparse, focusing on your eyes on the excellent acting. This performance is so packed with emotion that I don't see what furniture would add to the experience.

As for the singing, I can't find fault with any of the performers. It's hard to point out a highlight since I really enjoy every second.

I think the extra character is a succesful experiment. His appearance drives home the morale of the opera (in my view) that even if the characters think they are in control of events, they're really being driven by forces out of their realm. His expulsion (by the original characters) at the finale is comforting to us who believe in free will.

If you feel operas are static performances that should be played in their original decor, by all means skip this rendition (or merely buy it for the sharp audio). If you enjoy a good experiment, I'm sure you'll enjoy this edition!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful performances, gorgeous singing! What more do you want?, October 27, 2009

By 

Nigel Mc (The Chilterns) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mozart: Le Nozze di Figaro [Blu-ray] (Blu-ray)

I entirely agree with M Van Loon. This is a marvellous performance with superb singing from all the artists. While it is probably unfair to single out any one performer I have to give specific praise to Netrebko, Schafer and Roschmann. Simply gorgeous voices and all of these artists have such good acting ability that it brings a new dimension to opera. Over the years having seen many Figaros I have to say that this one is in a league of its own. As to the previous comment which critised the sparseness of the set, I would have to question the rationale of going to the opera. Is it to hear glorious music well sung and acted or is it to see beautiful costumes and colourful sets? To my mind the minimalist staging concentrates the mind on the singing and the performance of the artists. If I want to see authentic costumes I can always go to a museum!

It also has to be said that the quality of the Blu-ray is top notch. Wonderful clarity and detail with stunning sound. Nothing to dislike.

On a personal level I enjoyed the introduction of the Cherub acting as a sort of unauthodox 'guardian angel'. This is a graceful performance which added to my overall enjoyment of the performance. I suppose that strict purists can always take issue with any deviation from the norm. However, I like to regard opera as a continually developing art form. New interpretations can often bring new life into familiar territory without diminishing the appeal of the original.

This disc also has very interesting interviews with the artists and selective excerpts from rehearsal. The disc is excellent value for money, being cheaper than many standard definition opera dvds.