Internationally renowned opera star Sir Thomas Allen returns to Scottish Opera to direct a new production of Mozart’s masterpiece The Marriage of Figaro. Read more …
Despite over 35 years experience singing the role of Count (and one singing Figaro himself) in The Marriage of Figaro, this will be the first time Sir Thomas has directed the opera – and in what is sure to be a marriage made in heaven, he returns with the same team that created Scottish Opera’s successful The Barber of Seville in 2007.
The Marriage of Figaro takes place on the ‘day of madness’ that precedes the servant Figaro’s wedding and centres on a convoluted plot involving attempts by his boss, the once charming Count Almaviva, to send things awry.
Figaro was one of the first operas with a plot based on the everyday lives of real people - rather than myth or fantasy – and in its depiction of the ‘upstairs downstairs’ world that the characters inhabit, fired several salvos that rocked the class-based 18th century society to its very core.
In highlighting the comedy, energy, passion and danger that are the hallmarks of the opera, Sir Thomas promises a traditional and truthful approach. The look and feel of the production will remain faithful to the stylishness and elegance of the time, with sets and costumes hand-made by the artisans at Scottish Opera’s Production Studios.
Dutch baritone Thomas Oliemans, who gave a charismatic performance as Figaro in Barber, returns to the role; British baritone Roderick Williams sings Almaviva. Ulrike Mayer makes her debut with the Company, while a host of familiar faces completes the strong ensemble cast: Scottish soprano Kate Valentine, last seen in 2008’s Edinburgh International Festival co-production of Smetana’s The Two Widows; Scottish Opera Emerging Artist Nadine Livingston (La boheme, 2010); Inverness-born Harry Nicoll (Manon, 2009); Francesco Facini (The Elixir of Love, 2009); Martin Lamb (Five:15, 2010); Leah-Marian Jones (Falstaff, 2008); and Miranda Sinani (Five:15 Operas Made in Scotland, 2010).
Music Director Francesco Corti conducts.
The Marriage of Figaro is sung in Italian with English supertitles.
Those three stars are a midway compromise: Scottish Opera's new Figaro is great on stage, shoddy in the pit.
If ever there was a reason for having a national opera company in Scotland, this is it.
Scottish Opera has a fine success on its hands.
There are no undercurrents: it’s just all very nice.
It is a production which nods knowingly to the unlikely plot devises, and finds strength right down the cast.
The production, sung in Italian despite the English title, is notable more for overall polish than for any outstanding individuals – (a) good sign.
A sparkling night's entertainment.
Scottish Opera brings a strong emotional heart to the bustling, vibrant comic business of Mozart's well-loved opera.
Scottish Opera's rising star Kate Valentine prepares for her biggest home role to date
On Tour, from Friday October 29, 2010, until Saturday November 27, 2010.