Widely considered one of the best operas ever written, our Spring Season opens with Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro. Set in Seville, Spain in the late 18th century, and performed for the first time in Vienna in 1786, this boisterous romantic comedy takes place over one day, the wedding of Figaro and Susanna, servants to the Count and Countess. When the big day arrives, it becomes clear that Count Almaviva is hell-bent on seducing Susanna before the ceremony takes place. Susanna and Figaro conspire with the Countess to outwit her husband, teaching him a lesson in fidelity.
Based on a play that was originally banned in France in the lead-up to the French Revolution, due to its focus on class tensions and privilege, Mozart and his librettist had to remove some of its more controversial references. What remains is a musical comedy full of twists and turns, mistaken identities and commentary on gender, fidelity and human relationships, The Marriage of Figaro is bursting with drama, wit, humour and Mozart’s beautiful music.
To give you a little insight into the mayhem of The Marriage of Figaro, the final act sees Cherubino (another one of the servants), in male clothes, making a pass at the Countess, who’s wearing Susanna’s clothes. The Count also tries to seduce ‘Susanna’, who is his wife in disguise. Figaro spots the real Susanna who’s dressed as the Countess. As he begins to tell the Countess about her husband’s infidelity, Susanna reveals herself. Finally understanding the plot, Figaro pretends to make a pass at her (her being Susanna, pretending to be the Countess), which angers the Count who calls everybody to witness his wife’s infidelity. All the costumes come off and the penny finally drops. It really is unmissable classic operatic fun.
You can see The Marriage of Figaro at Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff from Thursday 6 February before touring to Swansea, Southampton, Birmingham, Milton Keynes and Plymouth.
In stark contrast, we also stage Benjamin Britten’s Peter Grimes as part of the Season. Britten was one of Britain’s greatest composers, appreciated by audiences worldwide, with his work dominating the mid 20th century. Peter Grimes was Britten’s first and most successful opera, hailed by the public as a masterpiece from the outset. The three-act opera is based on George Crabbe’s 1810 poem The Borough. First performed in London in 1945, Peter Grimes tells the story of a small and impoverished fishing village on the East coast of England, based on Aldeburgh where Britten grew up. When a child dies in mysterious circumstances, the close-knit community start to point fingers with devastating consequences. Delving into themes of isolation, prejudice, and the destructive power of gossip and mob mentality, the opera remains hugely relevant. Nicky Spence will perform his role debut as Peter Grimes, one of the greatest tenor roles in opera, and is joined by a brilliant cast that includes Dame Sarah Connelly.
You can see Peter Grimes at Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff from Saturday 5 April before touring to Southampton, Birmingham, Milton Keynes and Plymouth.
