Sir Charles Mackerras was by now developing the strong relationship with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra which lasted until his death in 2010, with most of Mozart’s mature works being recorded in connection with concert performances. The casting includes some interesting doublings – Basilio and Curzio (both were originally played by Michael Kelly) are nicely differentiated by Ryland Davies. Bartolo and Antonio are sung by the same bass, and more unusual still, the two bridesmaids in the chorus at the end of the third act are sung by Cherubino and Barbarina. Mackerras conducted Figaro at regular intervals through his career, and he was particularly well regarded for having started to introduce authentic style and performance practice from the 1960s when he conducted a new production at Sadler’s Wells. His reading, and the playing of the SCO, sound wonderfully natural. The recording is a fitting souvenir of the event.
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