MOZART: LE NOZZE DI FIGARO:Soloists: Heinz Blankenburg, Freni, Gabriel Bacquier, Lelya Gencer, Edith Mathis, Carlo Cava, Johanna Peters, Hugues Cuenod, John Kentish. Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Glyndebourne Chorus. Conductor : Silvio Varviso GFOCD 001-62 *****

It is said that Napoleon regarded the Figaro plays by Beaumarchais, as the true beginning of the French Revolution. Mozart took the more controversial and subversive of these plays and composed one of the most perfect operas of all time, retaining the powerful ideas of equality while expressing them as an exquisite comedy of manners. This recording of a memorable performance has a cast of almost uniform excellence, the frisson of a live performance, and is conducted with brio and sensitivity. The cast includes many of the greatest singers of that period, including our own Patricia McCarry. www.glynde bourne.com