Le Nozze di Figaro The Met (1985)

From the James Levine Celebrating 40 Years at the Met DVD box set JeanPierre Ponnelles landmark production of Mozarts most human comedy provides the perfect setting for this superb cast under James Levines ebullient leadership The philandering and arrogant Count Almaviva Thomas Allen is no match for his wily servant Figaro Ruggero Raimondi whose soontobewife Susanna Kathleen Battle is as manipulative as she is charming Add in one beautiful disillusioned Countess Carol Vaness and one irrepressible testosteroneladen teenage boy Cherubino played by Federica von Stade and its no wonder some critics say this is the perfect opera