
The Marriage of Figaro 1971
The barber takes a bride…
…and sorts out a few marital problems upstairs while he’s at it. Mozart tweaks the prevailing social class system and also has a thing or two to say about love and constancy – all in his most captivating score.
Synopsis
Act I
As the opera begins, Susanna and Figaro are examining the room which they will occupy after their marriage. Figaro notes that its convenient location, adjoining the boudoir of the Countess, should make it possible for Susanna to be readily available to the Countess when needed. Susanna, on the other hand, notes that it is also an easy matter for the Count to get to her if Figaro is away. Figaro resolves to stop the Count’s pursuit. As he leaves, Dr. Bartolo enters, explaining to Marcellina how he will use his legal knowledge to trap Figaro into marrying the former duenna.
Cherubino, recently dismissed by the Count for having been discovered in an escapade with Barbarina, begs Susanna to plead his case before the Countess. When voices are heard outside the door. Susanna conceals the page and admits the Count whose advances are, in turn, interrupted by the entrance of Don Basilio. The Count also is forced to hide, but reveals himself when he hears of gossip concerning the Countess and Cherubino. Upon discovering that the page has been concealed in the room and has therefore overheard the entire conversation, the Count decides to rid himself of Cherubino by giving him a commission in his regiment.
Artists

Donald Gramm
Bass-baritone
Figaro (July 30 - August 7)

Michael Devlin
Bass-baritone
Figaro (August 19 - 27)

Joanna Bruno
Soprano
Susanna

Frederica von Stade
Mezzo-soprano
Cherubino

Kiri Te Kanawa
Soprano
Countess Almaviva

Theodor Uppman
Baritone
Count Almaviva (July 30 - August 7)

John Shaw
Baritone
Count Almaviva (August 19 - 27)

Richard Best
Bass-baritone
Bartolo

Elaine Bonazzi
Mezzo-soprano
Marcellina

Douglas Perry
Tenor
Don Basilio

John Mack Ousley
Bass-baritone
Antonio

Edgar Moore
Tenor
Don Curzio

Chalyce Brown
Soprano
Barbarina

Robert Baustian
Conductor

Bliss Hebert
Director

Allen Charles Klein
Scenic Designer
Costume Designer

Georg Schreiber
Lighting Designer

Robert Jones
Chorus Master