Opera Australia has secured three of the world’s finest singers to make their Australian debuts in Sir David McVicar’s celebrated production of Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro at the Sydney Opera House this summer.
A regular on the stage of Milan’s Teatro alla Scala and opera houses around Europe, impressive Italian baritone Mario Cassi will debut as the Count, a role he has perfected in Liege and Dresden.
Stellar Russian soprano Ekaterina Morozova will debut as the Countess, a role she performed at the Bolshoi in late 2021, and rising star Venetian bass-baritone Tommaso Barea debuts, as Figaro himself, opposite celebrated Australian soprano Stacey Alleaume as clever servant Susanna.
Several of Opera Australia’s principal artists reprise their roles to round out the remarkable cast, including bass Richard Anderson as Dr Bartolo, Benjamin Rasheed as Don Basilio, Stuart Haycock as Don Curzio and Andrew Moran as Antonio. Agnes Sarkis will perform Cherubino, Sian Sharp plays Marcellina and Danita Weatherstone sings Barbarina.
All characters as witty, passionate and cunning as each other, Mozart’s light-hearted comedy presents a classic domestic spectacle of master against servants.
Renowned director Sir David McVicar stages the entertaining romp in the mid-1600s, with luxurious period costumes and sets by Tony Award-winning designer Jenny Tiramani, and clever lighting signifying transitions in time by David Finn. Talented director and Opera Australia regular, Andy Morton, leads this year’s production as revival director.
Accomplished Italian maestro Andrea Molino returns to Australia to conduct the Opera Australia Orchestra and Chorus through Mozart’s witty, fast-moving libretto and melodic, charming music.
Based on a play that was initially banned for its anti-aristocratic undertones, this sharp cat-and-mouse comedy that heroes the underclass will delight and entertain audiences as it has done since its 1786 debut in Vienna.
The Countess loves Count Almaviva, but he’s got designs on her servant Susanna. It’s Susanna’s wedding day, and Figaro has no plans of giving up his bride. In one crazy day of disguises, duplicity, desire and utter madness, the fiancés must foil the philandering noble’s seductive advances.
Conductor: Andrea Molino | Director: Sir David McVicar | Revival Director: Andy Morton | Featuring: Mario Cassi, Ekaterina Morozova, Tommaso Barea, Stacey Alleaume, Agnes Sarkis, Richard Anderson, Sian Sharp, Benjamin Rasheed, Stuart Haycock, Danita Weatherstone, Andrew Moran, Celeste Lazarenko, Angela Hogan Opera Australia Chorus, Opera Australia Orchestra | Set & Costume Designer: Jenny Tiramani | Lighting Designer: David Finn | Assistant Director: Justice Jones Massaad
The Marriage of Figaro
Joan Sutherland Theatre – Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point
Season: 27 January – 18 February 2022
Information and Bookings: www.opera.org.au
Image: The Cast of Opera Australia’s 2019 production of The Marriage of Figaro – photo by Prudence Upton