13. Susanna, or via, sortite - Thomas Allen & Margaret Marshall (Nozze Figaro Firenze'79)

[drtmuir]

This was even before he recorded it with Solti.

Hate to quibble, but these conservative Italian productions rarely suited him. Oh, he always looked nice in costume, but just to have him stand around like that is a shame.

[schweitzer006325]

Allen's Count looks unbelievably young here. I watched this production months ago but looking back at it now and after watching him do the Count in the '85 Met production which you also posted up, he looks very young indeed. And though he was in his mid-thirties at this time, still looks as if he's fresh out of the WNO!

But despite his youthful looks, his commanding voice and stage presence are already obvious here.

[nclysander]

Thomas Allen is extremely fresh-voiced here; indeed, I don't think I've ever seen him at so young an age. Marshall is also wonderful - I've heard of her before, but I'm not certain how. Unfortunately Donath, who was wonderful in the Act I duets and pretty good in "Venite," throws the trio off a little. Her singing seems rather thin and straight-toned in comparison, especially at the ends of the runs.

I love Susanna's scampering around!