The Marriage of Figaro (Le Nozze di Figaro)
Power, privilege and forgiveness.
Comedy has always challenged the power structures of class and gender. The Marriage of Figaro did so from its first operatic performance three years before the French Revolution in 1786 and Beaumarchais’s once banned play, written a few years earlier. In this new production, director Lindy Hume and her creative team will explore the potent politics of this landmark opera and what it means in a modern context.
Composer Mozart and librettist Da Ponte did not shy away from writing roles for strong female characters who tested the status quo. In the story, it appears that Count Almaviva has all the power, but in actual fact the maid Susanna uses her natural wit and intelligence to gain the upper hand, with the help of the Countess. At the end, it is the Countess who flips the narrative, demonstrating the power of forgiveness.
The story unfolds in a single day of madness and trickery, with the non-stop action underscored by the glorious music that has made this opera an enduring favourite for more than two centuries. The production will be conducted by the thrilling young Greek musician Zoe Zeniodi, making her New Zealand Opera debut.
Composed by WA Mozart
Libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte
Directed by Lindy Hume
Assistant Director Eleanor Bishop
Designed by Tracy Grant Lord
Lighting designed by Matthew Marshall
Conductor Zoe Zeniodi
CAST
Count Almaviva John Moore
Countess Almaviva Emma Pearson
Figaro Richard Ollarsaba
Susanna Joanna Foote
Cherubino Bianca Andrew
Marcellina Kristin Darragh
Don Bartolo Andrew Collis
Don Basilio/Don Curzio Andrew Grenon
Barbarina Imogen Thirlwall
Antonio Joel Amosa
The opera will feature the Freemasons New Zealand Opera Chorus along with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra.
$2 per hour to a max of $12 on weekends and a $12 flat rate for weekday evenings at The Civic car park. Find out more.