After being pursued relentlessly by Count Almaviva, the Countess is distraught that her marriage is falling apart due to his infidelity. This opera talk explores how Mozart’s genius illumines the characters in this quirky and memorable tale of redemption within Figaro and Susanna’s wedding day.

The Marriage of Figaro, comic opera in four acts by Austrian composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Italian libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte), which premiered in Vienna at the Burgtheater on May 1, 1786. Based on Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais’s 1784 play Le Mariage de Figaro, Mozart’s work remains a favorite in the operatic repertoire.

In 1782, as Mozart was making his way as a composer in Vienna, Count Orsini-Rosenberg, director of the Burgtheater (the imperial theatre), invited him to write an opera buffa. The young composer was in favour at the court of Emperor Joseph II, but he had stiff competition in established local composers, including Antonio Salieri, Vicente Martín y Soler, and Giovanni Paisiello. READ MORE IN BRITTANICA

SETTING

As Sophia from the Golden Girls says “Picture it” is set in Count Almaviva’s castle near Seville (now Sevilla), Spain, in the late 18th century.

ACT 1: Count Almaviva’s castle, in an empty room where Figaro and Susanna will live after their marriage.

ACT 2: The Countess’s boudoir

ACT 3: An elegantly decorated room in the castle where the wedding will take place.

ACT 4: The castle garden.

LEGENDARY CAST- WHO YOU WILL HEAR

Due to time constraint, this opera talk features a partial cast. If you loved the program, purchase from our affiliates or borrow the above DVD’s from your local library to see the full cast.

TANISHA’S PICK

 This opera talk features Tanisha’s favorite casts from these recordings. Click the link to purchase them for your own collection.

OPERA-ALIKES

If you liked the Le Nozze di Figaro, you can view these other opera talks featuring Mozart's operas.