Mild exclamation marks
of surprise crossed my mind when I saw
that Naxos had issued highlights of
their new Figaro at the same time as
the three CD set of the complete work.
Needless to say I
reviewed the complete work before
turning to this highlights disc. It
was then that I had my second surprise
as I handled the rounded corners of
a somehow classier jewel box. Yes, this
is a CD highlights of the complete issue.
However, it is presented in multi-function
mode as a hybrid SACD/CD disc with 5.1
Surround Sound. In other words the disc
contains, in effect, three different
versions of the same programme. These
being, I quote, ‘5.1 multichannel surround
sound mastered in DSD; 2 channel stereo
mastered in DSD; CD standard stereo’.
The initials DSD stand for Direct Stream
Digital.
One of the major features
of such technical wizardry is the claim
of compatibility. So the first hour
of reviewing time was spent in comparing
the CD sound of the various excerpts
on this disc with those on the complete
set. This process wasn’t helped by the
fact that the sound on this CD hybrid
disc is set at a lower level than the
original. That determined, and amplifier
levels being constantly adjusted, I
compared the Overture (tr. 1), Figaro’s
Se vuol ballare (tr. 2), Cherubino’s
Voi, che sapete (tr. 7) and the act
4 finale (trs. 15-18). Despite the compensating
upward volume levels applied to the
hybrid disc, the sound did not have
the sheer punch of the well balanced
and recorded original as found on the
complete version. Nor did I find the
stereo imaging, in width or depth, as
impressive. The whole was flatter and
lacking in presence compared to the
complete set. It was as if one was looking
at a painting through translucent rather
than clear glass.
Despite having a new
state of the art CD player, it does
not have SACD facility, nor have I gone
in for surround sound, so I was not
able to take my audio comparisons any
further. As to the contents of the disc,
it contains all the expected vocal solos
except Susanna’s Act 4 Deh vieni (score
no. 28) that follows the recitativo
Guinse al fin momento. Here the recit
is followed by the rondo Al desio (tr.
13) which is given as an appendix in
the complete set. I was not greatly
enamoured of Judith Halász’s
Susanna on the complete set and this
seven minutes does nothing to alter
my opinion. Nor are my opinions on the
other soloists altered by this disc
and I refer you for more detailed consideration
of their strengths and weaknesses to
my review of the complete set (LINK).
The booklet provides
artist profiles and an excellent track
related synopsis, the latter in German
as well as English. Those not in the
audiophile stakes and simply wanting
a CD of Figaro highlights will find
this disc satisfactory. Others with
surround sound can test their equipment
whilst listening to an opera with plenty
of movement in the act 4 finale and
the added pleasure of delicious melody
throughout.
Robert J Farr
Hungarian National Chorus, Nicolaus Esterházy
Sinfonia/Michael Halász 
NAXOS
6.110014 [68.15]