The Marriage of Figaro

OA The Marriage of Figaro regional tour editorialFollowing the adventures of a household over one crazy day, Opera Australia presents a new production of Mozart’s brilliant opera, The Marriage of Figaro in a comprehensive regional tour.

In a wealthy household in Seville, Figaro is marrying Susanna, but the Count wants to seduce her first. Marcellina wants Figaro and the Countess just wants her husband back. But Susanna is smarter than all of them. After a crazy day of disguise and duplicity, will she get her happily ever after?

Mozart’s classic comedy has been entertaining crowds for centuries, and between the witty, fast-moving libretto and melodic, charming ensemble writing, it is not hard to understand why. Masters are lusting over their servants, servants are outwitting their masters — Figaro is the Downton Abbey of opera, but a whole lot more fun!

Award-winning creative duo Michael Gow (Away, The Kid) and Robert Kemp (The Revenger’s Tragedy, Hot Fudge and Ice Cream) have created this brand new production, featuring stunning period costumes and a clever set.

“When you add fantastic music by Mozart, some incredible singing, a small orchestra that’s producing the most amazing sounds for that number of people and have something that’s actually good to look at, I think it’s like an explosion,” said designer Robert Kemp.

The cast of The Marriage of Figaro is impressive with multiple principal artists from Opera Australia, plus a live touring chamber orchestra under the baton of conductor Paul Fitzsimon. The local children’s chorus will be under the direction of Opera Australia’s new Regional Children’s Chorus Master, Joshua van Konkelenberg and local choir leaders.

With a mission to make people fall in love with opera, Artistic Director, Lyndon Terracini believes it is vital to reinvent productions regularly to make them contemporary and engaging for different kinds of settings.

The Marriage of Figaro is a great opera to tour and with the Australian creative team we have to take on this opera, this will be a show audiences won’t want to miss!” said Terracini. “Michael Gow and Robert Kemp are masters of storytelling, and they have created a version of The Marriage of Figaro that will be unforgettable.”

The Marriage of Figaro kicks off its regional tour at Dandenong’s Drum Theatre on Friday 15 July, and will include performances at: Bendigo’s Ulumbarra Theatre (21 July); Tamworth’s Capitol Theatre (6 August); Wollongong’s Illawarra Performing Arts Centre (16 & 17 August); Parramatta’s Riverside Theatre (19 & 20 August); Canberra Theatre Centre (25 – 27 August); and Hobart’s Theatre Royal (1 – 3 September).

For more information and complete venue and performance schedule, visit: www.opera.org.au for details.