Mozart - Le Nozze di Figaro (Archiv / Gardiner)1993
Classical - Opera
Disk 1 - 3 Parts - 265Mb | APE + CUE
Disk 2 - 3 Parts - 246Mb | APE + CUE
Disk 3 - 2 Parts - 168Mb | APE + CUE
Recorded 1993 - Queen Elizabeth Hall, London
Released 1994 by Deutsche Grammophon
Full album art included
Track Info
Track listing (from original booklet) included in Scans…located in Disk 3's download
Performers
Figaro - Bryn Terfel
Susanna - Alison Hagley
Il Conte - Rodney Gilfry
La Contessa - Hillevi Martinpelto
Description:
In the introduction to the ''Figaro'' libretto, da Ponte wrote of his and Mozart's effort to ''paint faithfully and in full color the diverse passions that are aroused.'' In Mr. Gardiner's version, the English Baroque Soloists, on period instruments, do not merely accompany the drama but also participate, caressing, chuckling, exploding, instantly passing from merriment to mystery. Mr. Gardiner asks the spirited singers to shape their vocal lines according to the orchestral nuances, thus enhancing the musical dramaturgy.
…
If Rodney Gilfry is not the ultimate aristocrat, he successfully conveys Count Almaviva's sense of superiority and growing frustration. Pitted against him, Bryn Terfel's Figaro finds increasingly sharp edges of irony as the work progresses. Hillevi Martinpelto is a sympathetic Countess, and the bright-voiced Alison Hagley brings an engaging warmth and spontaneity to her portrayal of Susanna. Her scenes with Pamela Helen Stephen's urgent Cherubino are delightful.
Although tempos tend to be brisk, the voices do not seem constrained. Mr. Gardiner's judicious flexibility nourishes lyricism without resorting to sentimentality…Scenes like the third-act sextet – Mozart's own favorite ensemble, where consternation, confusion and joy are intermingled – provide a human comedy in which nobody is spared and everyone emerges the wiser. (New York Times)
Note: This is a live recording on period instruments
Links:
http://rapidshare.com/files/171667702/NdF_Archiv_1.part1.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/171667704/NdF_Archiv_1.part2.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/171685676/NdF_Archiv_1.part3.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/171685678/NdF_Archiv_2.part1.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/171698725/NdF_Archiv_2.part2.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/171698728/NdF_Archiv_2.part3.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/171761451/NdF_Archiv_3.part1.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/171761457/NdF_Archiv_3.part2.rar
P.S - I did several searches and didn't see this version offered. My apologies if it's a duplicated effort.