Libretto by Lorenzo da Ponte, German adaptation by Walter Felsenstein. Title from container. Uwe Kreyssig (Count Almaviva) ; Magdalena Falewicz (Countess Almaviva) ; Ursula Reinhardt-Kiss (Susanna) ; József Dene (Figaro) ; Ute Trekel-Burckhardt (Cherubino) ; Rudolf Asmus (Doctor Bartolo) ; Ruth Schob-Lipka (Marcellina) ; Frank Folker (Basilio) ; Werner Enders (Don Curzio) ; Helmut Völker (Antonio) ; Barbara Sternberger (Barbarina) ; Inge Haase, Annemarie Hoffmann (Bridesmaids) ; Chorus and Orchestra of the Komische Oper Berlin ; Geza Oberfrank, conductor. Recorded July 1976 at the Komische Oper. Booklet with program notes in English and German (25 p. : ill.) inserted in container. Picture format: 4:3, NTSC. Special features: facsimile & texts: Walter Felsenstein's conception of "The marriage of Figaro", handwritten staging details on Act I, scene I, original staging piano reduction by Walter Felsenstein; interview with Walter Felsenstein on the topic of "Realistic music theatre" (interviewed by Wolfgang Stein, 1963); segments of Walter Felsenstein's productions: "Pariser Leben," Hebbel-Theater 1945 ; "Die Fledermaus," opening of the Komische Oper Berlink, 1947 ; "Die Kluge," Komische Oper 1948 ; "Orpheus in der Unterwelt," Komische Oper 1948 ; "Carmen," Komische Oper 1949 ; "Der Vogelhändler," Komische Oper 1950 ; "Die Zauberflöte," Komische Oper 1954 ; Paisiello: "Der Barbier von Sevilla," Komische Oper 1960 ; "Ein Sommernachtstraum," Komische Oper 1961.
Summary:
Set in Count Almaviva's castle in Seville in the late 18th Century. The Count has married Rosine but their marriage has gone sour because of his philandering. Figaro has quit barbering and is now the Count's major-domo. He is engaged to Suzanne, who is Countess Rosine's maid, and the Count's intended conquest. Old Bartholo is back to seek revenge on Figaro for taking Rosine away from him, with the help of the slimy music-master, Don Bazile. Adding to the fun are an amorous teenager, a scheming old maid, a drunken gardener, and a silly young girl. Much happens on a single "folle journée"--A crazy day.
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