This disc brings together
highlights of the three operas on which
Mozart collaborated with Lorenzo da
Ponte in the years 1786-1790. In no
sense are they a trilogy but together
they represent a pinnacle, even for
Mozart (although perhaps a "K2"
to the "Everest" of The
Magic Flute), and, once you have
got to know one, the others are impossible
to resist. There are several excellent
recordings of all three operas, most
of which were made more than twenty
years ago. If, like me, you feel that
well-made studio recordings in the last
two decades before the digital era contain
no deterrent at all then you have quite
a choice amongst famous conductors and
singers. If, however, you want a modern
recording, then choice is much more
limited.
First, you can be assured
that these recordings are indeed "state
of the art". Regarding the performances,
from the selection available on this
disc, they also seem to be top-notch,
especially considering that none of
the performers are exactly household
names. Bertrand de Billy directs the
Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra with
great verve, sometimes favouring quite
fast tempi (as in Dorabella’s aria "E
amore un ladroncello") and
this is a joyful listening experience,
with the light and shade of Mozart’s
inspiration captured well. It would
be unfair to single out any of the singers
– they all seem to be in fine voice
and "inside" their parts.
At over 79 minutes the disc is well-filled
but even so not all the "highlights"
of these operas are included. Cosi
fan Tutte comes off worst, having
neither beginning nor end (in particular,
these excerpts end in the middle of
nowhere and move straight into Don
Giovanni) whereas the Overture of
The Marriage of Figaro and the
ending of Don Giovanni are included.
My instinct is that Don Giovanni
might be the pick of the bunch if you
wanted to invest (at modest cost) in
just one of the complete sets and I
see that it has been reviewed with great
enthusiasm by Colin Clarke - see http://www.musicweb.uk.net/classrev/2003/Nov03/Mozart_deBilly.htm
In summary, if you
are looking for the most famous parts
of these operas, well-performed and
in excellent modern recordings at bargain
price, then I doubt that you will be
disappointed with this disc. But I don’t
think you will be satisfied either and
must warn you that there is a significant
risk that you will end up acquiring
the complete sets and passing this disc
on to a fortunate friend.
Patrick Waller
Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra/Bertrand
de Billy 
