The Welsh National Opera are well known for their genius musical skills as well as their ability to capture any audience with just a few notes, telling stories through music as well as intense characters. This year is no different as the WNO team up with the Grand Theatre de Geneve, really kicking off with a musical event that isn’t one to be missed: Figaro Forever.
For over 200 years, Figaro has been one of opera’s most beloved creations. Originally written by Pierre Beaumarchais in 1773, the play inspired a series of opera, and is still inspiring today. The trilogy is made up of The Barber of Seville, The Marriage of Figaro and the world premiere of Figaro Gets A Divorce, allowing for comedy, drama, romance and a sharp wit.
The trilogy follows the life and misadventures of a wry-witted man known as Figaro. Throughout the three productions we’ll witness his comedic role as a local barber playing around with the theme of love, before falling in love himself. Then, moving on to observe his attempts at making his way in the world, being transformed by the contemporary interpretations as time marches on. There’s a little something for everything, no matter the production and if you’re lucky enough to see all of them, then you’re in for nights filled with culture and amazing stories.
Figaro Forever opens up at one of the WNO’s usual haunts, the Wales Millennium Centre, on February 13th 2016 and continues until April 7th 2016 when the last instalment ends. Each production has a different running time as well as a different theme, but all celebrate the wily character that has graced stages for over two centuries. Ticket prices also vary, with the standard price for one performance being £41 depending on seating and show.
It’s no surprise that with such a well-regarded set of actors, composers and Sue Blane, one of the UK’s leading film and theatre costume designers (who worked on the costumes onthe Rocky Horror Picture Show), joining the team that this is really something for the art community to celebrate. Book tickets while you can, you won’t want to miss out on this treasure.
Figaro Forever, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff, Sat 13 Feb-Sat 27 Feb. Tickets: £5-£41. Info: www.wno.org.uk
words AMY WIGGINS