It could all be so easy: The preparations for the wedding of the servants Figaro and Susanna are in full swing, and Figaro is already measuring up the nuptial bed. However, the insatiable Count Almaviva, who has been chasing after Susanna for some time, is doing his best to delay the ceremony, while Marcellina insists that Figaro fulfil a contract in which he agreed to marry her. By means of subterfuge, and with the aid of the aggrieved Countess, Figaro and Susanna are finally able to reconcile all the various lovebirds. Mozart’s »Figaro« was conceived as a sequel to Rossini’s »Il barbiere di Siviglia«. Although frostily received at its premiere – the servants rebel against their aristocratic masters and abolish the droit de seigneur – it went on to enjoy tremendous popularity, which it has retained until today.
Opera buffa by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Performed in Italian with German surtitles.
Running time 3 hours 15 minutes
Premiere 22 Jan 2006
