Recorded at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées in June 2004, Le nozze de Figaro was unanimously acclaimed by public and critics alike as a Mozart opera landmark. Director Jean-Louis Martinoty brings an elegantly intelligent narrative sense to an interpretation in which the protagonists, against a backdrop of magnificent canvases of 18th-century inspiration, are dressed by Sylvie de Segonzac in a palette in which every shade is perfect. Hans Schavernoch’s set suggests an elitist society that is coming apart at the seams. René Jacobs’s conducting of Concerto Köln is meticulous and perfectly balanced, offering a ravishing use of tonal colour and orchestral dynamics. A veteran Almaviva, the excellent Pietro Spagnoli plays opposite Annette Dasch’s beauteous Countess. As Figaro and Susanna, Luca Pisaroni and Rosemary Joshua are a truly sparkling couple, while mezzo Angelika Kirchschlager embodies the most divinely troubling of Cherubinos. The exceptional quality of this production, and the great success encountered by its first edition on DVD, inevitably led to the remastering in high-definition of this programme, now for the first time also available on Blu-ray.

‘Jean-Louis Martinoty’s production and the sets are — merciful heavens — firmly rooted in the 18th century, but by no means weighted down by convention. This Count Almaviva is something of an art connoisseur, a point underlined at the start of act III, where he is seen discussing artefacts that have been brought to him for possible purchase. One, an hourglass, will later be examined by the Countess while she sings “Dove sono,” one of many imaginative little touches.

‘The décor is thus dominated by pictures, mainly by lesser-known French 18th-century artists like Outrey, providing considerable flexibility, and working to magical effect in the final act, where Almaviva’s gardens are based on decorative floral designs by Jan van Huysum and others, the translucency of which greatly aid the unraveling of the complexities being played out. The period costumes are equally attractive; richly burnished or muted yellows and browns for the principals, with bright primary colors for the peasant chorus, although my wife took exception to Marcellina’s red and white candy stripes.’

Cast:
- Il Conte: Pietro Spagnoli
- La Contessa: Annette Dasch
- Susanna: Rosemary Joshua
- Figaro: Luca Pisaroni
- Cherubino: Angelika Kirchschlager
- Marcellina: Sophie Pondjiclis
- Antonio: Alessandro Svab
- Bartolo: Antonio Abete
- Don Basilio: Enrico Facini
- Barbarina: Pauline Courtin
- Don Curzio: Serge Goubioud

HD recording: Théâtre des Champs Élysées, June 2004
Directed for TV by Pierre Barré

Running time: 182 min
Booklet: FR / ENG / GER
Original language: ITA
Subtitles: FR / ENG / GER / ITA / SPA / JAP / KOR