The Marriage of Figaro at Sydney Opera House

A chaotic whirlwind of mistaken identities makes the wedding day of Figaro and Susanna a lesson in hilarity.With a witty, fast-moving libretto and hum-along melodies, its easy to see why Mozarts classic comedy continues to charm audiences the world over.Musically, this is the ultimate ensemble opera, with brilliant trios, quartets and even a fantastic sextet laced through the score. Dramatically, its the opera with everything: lovers and liaisons, tricks and disguises, lust and laughter.The Countess loves Count Almaviva, but hes got designs on her servant Susanna. Its Susannas wedding day, and Figaro has no plans of giving up his bride. In one crazy day of disguises, duplicity, desire and utter madness, the fiancs must foil the philandering nobles seductive advances.Young soprano Stacey Alleaume reprises her role as Susanna. Russian soprano Ekaterina Morozova is the Countess with Tommaso Barea as Figaro. Mario Cassi is the Count.Sir David McVicars naturalistic staging opens a comic cauldron of sex and social politics (Limelight), where the comedy has a dark, sharp edge.True to 17th-century design and detail, historical fashion specialist Jenny Tiramani clothes the aristocracy in ravishing silks and the servants in cornflower blue. David Finns radiant lighting streams through vaulted windows illuminating enormous rooms in sunlight and moonbeams as day turns to night.

Authors

• Pierre Augustin Beaumarchais