The marriage of Figaro, Opera by W. A. Mozart
From its intriguing, fast-paced overture, The Marriage of Figaro puts the audience on a rollercoaster of laughs, emotions, and musical acrobatics. Despite political hindrances, Mozart's opera reached massive international success, and it continues its reign as one of the most popular stage works of all time. As audiences at Teatro Costanzi will ascertain, its fame is very well deserved.
Mozart decided to venture into Italian opera for a number of reasons. In 1780s Vienna, the lobby of Italian court composers was strong and exclusive, and a success in this avenue would grant him access to this VIP club. Due to a conflict with Antonio Salieri, the talented Italian librettist Lorenzo da Ponte became available. Mozart quickly took the chance to collaborate with him.
Mozart and da Ponte based their project on the sharply political play Le mariage de Figaro by Pierre Auguste Caron de Beaumarchais. Exposing the moral degradation among the upper classes was a favourite topic for the young composer; however, he had to concede to significant alterations by the Imperial censors. Even in toned-down form, The Marriage of Figaro carried strong social criticism, which is one more reason to cherish the work to this day.
The plot of The Marriage of Figaro presents head servant Figaro and his bride-to-be Susanna on their wedding day as they try to avert their master Count Almaviva's lustful attempts to assert his right to bed Susanna and to delay their matrimony. Through a series of cunning tricks, the two lovers manage to restore the Count's affection for his lawful wife Rosina and to conclude their own marriage happily.
The Marriage of Figaro was premiered at Vienna's Burgtheater on 1 May 1786, where political pressures cut its run short. A tremendously successful production in Prague, however, made sure the opera spread through Europe like a wildfire and cemented its lasting success.
Musically, The Marriage of Figaro follows many of Italian opera's conventions, with well-developed arias and recitativos. The orchestra's dramatic and fast-paced passages are used for strong dramatic effect and will keep you on the edge of your seat. The arias' and duets' melodic and dynamic qualities perfectly mirror the characters' emotional states. One of Mozart's most notable Italian escapades will shine on the stage of Teatro dell’Opera di Roma.