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The Marriage of Figaro 1971

July 30 - August 27, 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.

Music By
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Libretto By
Lorenzo da Ponte
Based on the Play By
Beaumarchais
English Version By
Ruth and Thomas Martin

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

Michael Devlin

Bass-baritone

Figaro (August 19 - 27)

Joanna Bruno

Soprano

Susanna

Frederica von Stade headshot

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

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