Synopsis
The Marriage of Figaro - libretto only - English & Italian - English National Opera Guide 17
Published by John Calder Publications
Le nozze di Figaro is one of Mozart's best-loved and most enduring works
The first of the three operas he wrote with Lorenzo da Ponte and based on Beaumarchais' play, it established the thirty-year-old Mozart as an opera composer of the very first rank
Its combination of wit, acute psychological observation and sublime music has enthralled audiences ever since its premiere in Prague in 1786
This guide contains articles about the historical background to the opera, as well as musical and dramatic commentaries
Further articles deal with the changes in musical performance brought about in recent times by the period practice movement and with the particular uses Mozart makes of recitatives
There is also a survey of the opera's most important productions with Illustrations, a thematic guide, the full libretto with English translation and reference sections
REVIEWS
'Neat little volumes they are, handy for carrying around, clearly printed and well set-out, complete with libretto and translation, discography and a generous selection of illustrations' ~ Gramophone
'Brilliantly produced and superb value' ~ The Sunday Times
'Marvellous ... the best books of their kind' ~ Hugh Canning
'The revamped Opera Guides series ... are much more solid and attractive compared with the old ones. Production values are up, with more appealing design, clearer print and much better paper, making these books altogether more shelf-worthy' ~ BBC Music Magazine