THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO Opens Opera Atelier's 17-18 Season

Opera Atelier's 2017-2018 season opens with The Marriage of Figaro, Mozart's hilarious tale of love, betrayal and forgiveness in a world on the brink of revolution. American bass-baritone Douglas Williams will be making his Opera Atelier debut in the title role. Sung in English, The Marriage of Figaro runs at Toronto's Elgin Theatre (189 Yonge Street) Oct. 26 - Nov. 4, 2017.

The Marriage of Figaro features some of Mozart's most famous music for singing and dancing, as well as one of the finest comic libretti in the history of 18th century opera, by frequent Mozart collaborator Lorenzo Da Ponte. Based on the Beaumarchais play of the same name, Mozart's commedia dell'arte opera had its premiere in 1786 and was a run-away success. Opera Atelier's production of The Marriage of Figaro will be sung in the famous English translation by American playwright Jeremy Sams, ensuring the audience does not miss a single comic beat. The Marriage of Figaro provides an unbeatable theatre experience for opera lovers, newcomers, children and young adults.

Set during a single day in a Spanish palace, The Marriage of Figaro revolves around the wedding of servants Figaro and Susanna. Their master, the playboy Count Almaviva, plans to claim his feudal right to bed the young bride on her wedding night. The servants conspire with the Countess to upset and expose his scheme, and following hilarious mix-ups and reconciliations, the love between the two couples is ultimately set to rights.

The Marriage of Figaro features Douglas Williams making his Opera Atelier debut in the title role, with Mireille Asselin (Susanna), Stephen Hegedus (Count Almaviva), Peggy Kriha Dye (Countess Almaviva), Mireille Lebel (Cherubino), Laura Pudwell (Marcellina), Gustav Andreassen (Bartolo), Christopher Enns (Basilio/Don Curzio), Olivier Laquerre (Antonio), and Grace Lee (Barbarina).The Marriage of Figaro is directed by Marshall Pynkoski and choreographed by Jeannette Lajeunesse Zingg, with Dora Award-winning costume design by Martha Mann, set design by Gerard Gauci and lighting design by Michelle Ramsay. This production features the full corps of Artists of Atelier Ballet, and Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra under the baton of David Fallis. Figaro is sung in English with English surtitles.

Tickets for The Marriage of Figaro start at $39 and can be purchased through Ticketmaster at 1-855-622-ARTS(2787) or www.ticketmaster.ca, or at the Elgin Theatre Box Office (189 Yonge Street). Group discounts (10+ people) are available by calling 416-703-3767 x222. For more information, visit www.operaatelier.com.

$15 Operatix tickets may be purchased by patrons aged 15-30 in person at the Elgin Theatre Box Office or online with the code OPERATIX. (Subject to availability. Valid I.D. required at pick-up.) Opera Atelier will host a special Operatix Evening on Friday Nov. 3, featuring a post-performance party with Opera Atelier artists for ticket-holders age 30 and under. The Operatix program is proudly sponsored by TD.

Opera Atelier gratefully acknowledges the ongoing support of The Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council, and the City of Toronto through the Toronto Arts Council

Opera Atelier is North America's premier period opera/ballet company, producing the opera, ballet and drama of the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. While drawing upon the aesthetics and ideals of the period, Opera Atelier goes beyond "reconstruction" and infuses each production with an inventive theatricality that resonates with modern audiences. Led by founding artistic directorS Marshall Pynkoski and Jeannette Lajeunesse Zingg since 1985, Opera Atelier has garnered acclaim for its performances at home as well as in the United States, Europe and Asia. Opera Atelier is committed to the development of young Canadian artists and offers innovative education programs for youth, as well as $15 tickets for ages 15 to 30.