Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff
Fri 25 Feb
words: STEPHEN NOTTINGHAM
★★★★☆
Welsh National Opera’s trilogy of Mozart operas with librettos by Lorenzo da Ponte finishes with The Marriage of Figaro. This co-production with the Gran Teatre del Liceu Barcelona was first performed in 2009.
Lluis Pasqual and Paco Azorin (Director and Designer, respectively) update the action to a Spanish villa in the early 1930s. It’s like Upstairs Downstairs, with a clear class hierarchy. This is as modern as the team felt it could be pushed, while keeping the central (and entirely fictional) droit de signeur plot device credible. It looks distinctive, while retaining all the strengths of a traditional production.
The Marriage of Figaro is based on the second of Beaumarchais’ trilogy of plays, which begins with The Barber of Seville. Rossini’s opera of that play (written 30 years after Mozart’s) was performed last year by WNO, and is a sort of prequel; though there’s a darker edge to The Marriage of Figaro. The plot is also more convoluted, being one of those operas that get funnier with familiarity.
In this revival, WNO-favourites David Soar (Figaro) and Rebecca Evans (Countess Almaviva) return in their roles. David Soar is a first-rate singer, and a fine actor with a strong stage presence. Rebecca Evans nails the solo arias that give heart to the piece. Elizabeth Watts is a terrific Susanna; she also has a good feel for physical comedy (characters hide behind furniture a lot in this opera). Meanwhile, the Lithuania mezzo-soprano Jurgita Adamonyté does some scene-stealing as Cherubino (practically part of the job description in this case).
There is no getting away from it: it’s a long opera. When the curtain falls on the charming photographic tableau that ends Act 3, I suspect many in the audience would feel satisfied enough for it to end there. This production wisely opts for a refreshing visual change in Act 4, from stately rooms to a hall-of-mirrors woodland nocturne (although the moving scenery is possibly a little too busy – the scenery shifters must get exhausted!). Some cuts also help move things along; and there’s always the glorious music, precisely conducted on this occasion by Anthony Negus.
An enthusiastic audience played their part, clapped the arias and laughing at the farce, to create a great atmosphere. Those with their Mozart/da Ponte passports stamped at all three Mozart/da Ponte productions at the WMC get invites to a special Exploring Mozart event on 24 March.
The Marriage of Figaro can be seen at the WMC on Tues 28 Feb, Thurs 1 and Sat 3 Mar, and at Swansea Grand Theatre on Sat 21 April. Info: 029 2063 5000 / www.wno.org.uk