Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's "Die Hochzeit des Figaro" 

UPC 807280126396

Product Details:

• Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
• Libretto by Lorenzo da Ponte, based on the play by Pierre Beaumarchais
• Sung in German
• Cast: Tom Krause (Count Almaviva), Arlene Saunders (Countess), Heinz Blankenburg (Figaro), Edith Mathis (Susanna), Elisabeth Steiner (Cherubino), Maria von Ilosvay (Marcellina), Noël Mangin (Bartolo)
• Members of the Ballet of the Hamburg State Opera
• Hamburg Philharmonic State Orchestra and the Chorus of the Hamburg State Opera
• Directed for TV by Joachim Hess
• Conducted by Hans Schmidt-Isserstedt
• Artistic Direction by Rolf Liebermann
• Historical Studio Production from the Hamburg State Opera, 1967
• Produced by Polyphon Film-und Fernsehgesellschaft for NDR, 1967
• Sound Format: Mono
• Picture Format: 4:3 Colour
• Menu Languages: German, English, French, Spanish
• Subtitle Languages: German, English, French, Spanish, Italian
• Region Code: 0 (worldwide)
• Running Time: 170 minutes
• DVD9 Video  NTSC
  

Overview:

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's "Die Hochzeit des Figaro" (The Marriage of Figaro) is an opera buffa in four acts, with a libretto by Lorenzo da Ponte based on the play of the same name by Pierre Beaumarchais. The opera was first performed in Vienna in 1786.

This historical studio production of "Die Hochzeit des Figaro" was filmed at the Hamburg State Opera in 1967 and features a talented cast of singers, including Tom Krause as Count Almaviva, Arlene Saunders as the Countess, Heinz Blankenburg as Figaro, and Edith Mathis as Susanna. The production is directed for TV by Joachim Hess and conducted by Hans Schmidt-Isserstedt, with artistic direction by Rolf Liebermann.

The opera tells the story of Figaro, the Count's personal valet, and his fiancée Susanna, the Countess's maid, as they prepare for their wedding day. However, the Count has other plans and attempts to seduce Susanna, leading to a series of comedic and dramatic events.

This DVD features a mono sound format and a 4:3 picture format, with menu languages in German, English, French, and Spanish. The running time is 170 minutes, and the DVD is licensed for non-commercial use only, with any public performance, broadcast, copying, or other reproduction strictly prohibited.

The DVD is produced by Polyphon Film-und Fernsehgesellschaft for NDR, and is distributed by Arthaus Musik. The cover design is by Thekla Trillitsch.

Cast and Crew:

• Conductor: Hans Schmidt-Isserstedt
• Director: Joachim Hess
• Artistic Director: Rolf Liebermann
• Count Almaviva: Tom Krause
• Countess: Arlene Saunders
• Figaro: Heinz Blankenburg
• Susanna: Edith Mathis
• Cherubino: Elisabeth Steiner
• Marcellina: Maria von Ilosvay
• Bartolo: Noël Mangin
• Members of the Ballet of the Hamburg State Opera
• Hamburg Philharmonic State Orchestra and the Chorus of the Hamburg State Opera

Interesting Facts:

• "Die Hochzeit des Figaro" is considered one of Mozart's greatest operas and is a staple of the operatic repertoire.
• The opera was originally written in Italian, but has been translated and performed in many languages, including German.
• The role of Cherubino was originally written for a mezzo-soprano, but is often performed by a soprano or a countertenor.
• The opera deals with themes of love, fidelity, and social class, and is known for its witty and humorous dialogue.