Mozart's greatest comic opera is seldom found at mid-price, at least not in a great performance! But here is one with one of the finest Mozart casts ever put together, with one of the greatest conductors at the peak of his powers. Live performance, Salzburg, 1974. "Hearing Karajan’s work before the early-to-mid-'80s...is invariably a treat, and this Figaro, live from Salzburg in 1974, is no exception. For the most part his tempos are fleet, with recitatives at honest conversational speed...José van Dam's Figaro finds this always interesting singer at his vocal best... and he gives us a complete picture of this complicated man. Susanna is Mirella Freni, simply ideal – pert but not too pert, knowing, and vocally right on the money. Frederica von Stade rounds out the principals as Cherubino, and she sings with rich, warm tone and fine attention to detail." - ClassicsToday