I love James Levine's energetic, gleaming pace of the score. It's really among the finest I've heard, right along with Giulini, Karajan and Bohm. Carol Vaness makes a beautiful Countess not only physically but with a strong, darkly beautiful and richly expressive voice. Thomas Allen's Count is excellent. Kathy Battle as Susanna is nothing special. Compare her to Mirella Freni's Susanna, Freni was always in character and more "alive". Kathy is mediocre here.
Kathleen Battle is so lovely! What a voice. It's a shame that a crippling personality disorder severely damaged her career. I wish I could have seen her perform in an opera house. At least we have a few videos of her performances. Thank you for posting.
I've seen Raimondi's "Aprite" from this production on YouTube before, as well as his "Vedro" under Abbado, and judging from those I actually prefer him as Figaro. He is quite good in this clip. Battle, too, is young, fresh, and beautiful. Additionally, this may be some of the best acting I've seen her do.
I love Raimondi a lot (my favourite singer indeed),but,with my surprise,I don't appreciate too much his Figaro.I think he doesn't "feel" the character perhaps,or maybe I don't like him with those horrible moustaches :)
@blichilde Hihi, although I agree on the moustache (although - it is Raimondi, I guess not even a moustache could lower my affection) and I think he's absolutely wonderful! I love this production of Le Nozze.
BRAVISSIMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII FAVOLOSIIIIII
hungup74 8 months ago in playlist OPERA: Le nozze di Figaro Met 1985 (Allen, Battle, Raimondi)
The only way to buy this at the metshop is in a $249 box set. Anyone know if there is a plan to offer it alone?
suzannasaw 9 months ago in playlist OPERA: Le nozze di Figaro Met 1985 (Allen, Battle, Raimondi)
I love James Levine's energetic, gleaming pace of the score. It's really among the finest I've heard, right along with Giulini, Karajan and Bohm. Carol Vaness makes a beautiful Countess not only physically but with a strong, darkly beautiful and richly expressive voice. Thomas Allen's Count is excellent. Kathy Battle as Susanna is nothing special. Compare her to Mirella Freni's Susanna, Freni was always in character and more "alive". Kathy is mediocre here.
AmericanEvita 1 year ago
Kathleen Battle is so lovely! What a voice. It's a shame that a crippling personality disorder severely damaged her career. I wish I could have seen her perform in an opera house. At least we have a few videos of her performances. Thank you for posting.
carrotjuse 1 year ago
According to the Met Opera Shop, this will be released on DVD in September.
grp1635 1 year ago
"Cinque... dieci... venti..." Waow, the best opera of all time begins with a single count.
Thank you Mr Mozart !!!
Kjevois 1 year ago 2
ugh! battle is mesmerizing!!!!
GosfordAbercrombie 2 years ago
@GosfordAbercrombie Indeed, she is! I love her as Susanna!
ElisabettaVS 1 year ago
I love the word Raimondi makes up at 1:10. Goes to show you everyone flubbs the words!
clarksc1988 2 years ago 2
Kathleen Battle was superb in this production! Looked gorgeous and sang beautifully. I'm so happy you uploaded this - thank you so much antmusique!
vstasov 2 years ago 4
You are welcome! It's a wonderful performance, so I was very happy to post it.
It's great to look around YouTube and look at all the different productions of this opera (I'm very partial to the one posted by scordeteyla!).
antmusique 2 years ago
Certified Intergalactic!
Dogaradodia 2 years ago
The Best Opera, Ever!
romarius2005 3 years ago 4
I've seen Raimondi's "Aprite" from this production on YouTube before, as well as his "Vedro" under Abbado, and judging from those I actually prefer him as Figaro. He is quite good in this clip. Battle, too, is young, fresh, and beautiful. Additionally, this may be some of the best acting I've seen her do.
The Ponnelle production is beautiful!
nclysander 3 years ago 5
I love Raimondi a lot (my favourite singer indeed),but,with my surprise,I don't appreciate too much his Figaro.I think he doesn't "feel" the character perhaps,or maybe I don't like him with those horrible moustaches :)
blichilde 3 years ago
@blichilde Hihi, although I agree on the moustache (although - it is Raimondi, I guess not even a moustache could lower my affection) and I think he's absolutely wonderful! I love this production of Le Nozze.
ElisabettaVS 1 year ago
This video is like a Christmas present to me, Ruggero Raimondi as Figaro - grandios. I love him as Count, never saw or heard him as Figaro.
Thank so much, he's wonderful as usual.
Musikkristin 3 years ago 10
You're welcome! I usually associate him with nobility-type characters, so it was strange at first to see him as Figaro.
antmusique 3 years ago 2