This delightful and humorous presentation of The Marriage of Figaro by Rockdale Opera Company continues their long tradition of presenting high quality Gilbert and Sullivan operas, operetta and grand opera sung in English.
THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO is a comic opera in four acts composed in 1786 by Mozart with an Italian libretto written by Lorenzo Da Ponte. The Opera is based on a stage comedy by Beaumarchais La Folle Journée which is a sequel to his earlier play, Le Barbier de Séville.
The opera is set in Count Almaviva’s castle in Seville in the late 18th Century. In Le Barbier, Count Almaviva, with substantial help from Figaro, wooed and won the lovely Rosine away from her crusty old ward and would-be husband, Dr. Bartholo.
In THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO, Beaumarchais continues their story. The Count has married Rosine but their marriage has gone sour because of his philandering. Figaro has quit barbering and is now the Count’s major-domo. He is engaged to Suzanne, who is Countess Rosine’s maid – and the Count’s intended conquest.
Old Doctor Bartholo is back to seek revenge on Figaro for taking Rosine away from him, with the help of the slimy music-master, Don Bazile. Adding to the fun are an amorous teenager, a scheming old maid, a gardener, and a silly young girl. Much happens on a single “folle journée” — a crazy day.
Paulo Montoya directs this production and the cast bring much life and energy to this frothy drawing room comedy.
All the leads are talented, professional experienced performers. Daniel Macy makes a wonderful Figaro, scheming but fun. Phoebe-Celeste Humphreys as Susanna is the perfect complement to him.
Jermaine Chau as Cherubino is a delight to watch darting about the stage and the Count played by James Oldsand is suitably two faced. Kirsten Jones impresses as his long suffering and faithful wife.
They are well supported by Ian Fisher as Dr Bartolo, Megan Chalmers as Marcellina, Blake Parham as Basilio, Ray Dubber as Curzio, Bernice Zandona as Barbarina, and Rory Struthers as Antonio.
The cast are backed by the Rockdale Opera Company Chorus.
Steven Stanke conducts a talented orchestra providing us all the wonderful music of Mozart.
A minimal set provides a simple background to the lavish and beautiful costumes put together by Jayne Pickering and Anne Kintominas.
For the opera follower or anyone experiencing opera for the first time this is a very entertaining evening.
The production runs till Sunday 15 November at Rockdale Town Hall corner of Princes Hwy & Bryant Street Rockdale. The final performances are next Saturday 14th November at 7.30pm and Sunday 15th November at 2pm.