Help me find this Figaro DVD

December 9, 2005 10:03 PM

I'm looking for a DVD version of the Marriage of Figaro as performed by the Metropolitan Opera circa 1998/9.

My grandfather taped it off the TV (ABC australia) a while back onto a slowly dying VHS.

I am able to find mention of it here (review of live performance) and here (a listing of PBS broadcasts).

I've searched amazon, ABC australia, BBC, Met and PBS's shops and googled heavily with no luck. My grandfather's 80th birthday is approaching and I'd love to track this down for him.

My grandmother has transcribe the following from the credits:

Mariage of Figaro (Le Nozze di Figaro), Copyright 1999 Metropolitan Opera Assn Inc
Distribution BBC Worldwide
Conductor: James Levine, Production: Jonathan Miller

Figaro: Bryn Terfel; Susanna: Cecilia Bartoli;Don Bartolo: Paul Plishka; Marcellina: Wendy White; Cherubino: Susanne Mentzer; Count Amalvira: Dwayne Croft; Don Basilio: Heinz Zednik; Countess Almavira: Renée Fleming; Others: Thomas Hammons, Anthony Laciura, Danaielle de Niese

posted by mule to Media & Arts (2 answers total)

Best answer: Call the Metropolitan Opera and ask for someone working with the Radio and TV Preservation Project. They'd almost certainly know if a DVD version of that performance was ever released.
posted by mediareport at 10:59 PM on December 9, 2005

Best answer: Strange — with a cast like that, you'd think they would have released it. Here are a few findings; hope they help:
- This guy's website lists all his many recordings, including your "Figaro" (#210 on his list). Send him an email, and he may be able to sell you a copy; it's unclear if he provides that service.
- London released this CD of duets by Terfel and Bartoli, about half of which are from "Figaro." Those tracks aren't from the Met production, but half a loaf...
posted by rob511 at 1:48 AM on December 10, 2005