Emma Birski / OnP

Opera

New

Le nozze di Figaro

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Palais Garnier

from 21 January to 18 February 2022

Le nozze di Figaro

Palais Garnier - from 21 January to 18 February 2022

Synopsis

The Marriage of Figaro is one of the repertoire’s most iconic works. Brahms spoke of it as a “miracle” and the Countess’s lament remains one of the most heart-rending musical pages of all time. By taking up Beaumarchais’ comedy, which had caused a scandal to shake Parisian society, Mozart and Da Ponte’s success was secured. The play had even been banned by Joseph II in 1785 at Theatre of Vienna. Did it shine too much light on the contradictions of an already faltering regime, ready to collapse with the French Revolution? Netia Jones’ new production retains the very essence of Beaumarchais’ play as she humorously yet mischievously explores human relationships in a universe that confuses reality and fiction to the point of asking, like the Count: “Are we playing in a comedy?”

Duration :

Language : Italian

Surtitle : French / English

  • Opening

  • First part 115 min

  • Intermission 30 min

  • Second part 75 min

  • End

Show acts and characters

CHARACTERS

The Count: Seducer of Susanna and jealous husband

The Countess: The Count’s wife, tormented by her husband’s deceptions
Susanna: The Countess’s chambermaid, Figaro’s fiancée, Cherubino’s accomplice
Figaro: The Count’s valet, engaged to Susanna
Cherubino: The Count’s page, ingenuous young man in love with the Countess
Marcellina: Housekeeper
Bartolo: Doctor from Seville
Don Basilio: Master of music
Don Curzio: Judge
Barbarina: The gardener’s daughter and Susanna’s cousin
Antonio: The Count’s gardener and Susanna’s uncle

Act I
In the Palazzo Aguas Frescas. Figaro, valet to Count Almaviva, is about to marry Susanna, the Countess’s maid. But while the celebrations are being prepared, obstacles arise and plots are woven. The Count, a fickle husband, attempts to seduce Susanna and dreams of reestablishing the “droit du seigneur”over young brides; he is aided in his plotting by unscrupulous Basilio, the music master. There is also Marcellina, “housekeeper at the castle”, who has lent money to Figaro in return for a promise of marriage; with the support of the doctor Bartolo, who bears an old grudge against Figaro, she intends to assert her rights. Cherubino, the vivacious and mischievous page, is in love with all women and especially the Countess, his “beautiful godmother”. He is chased from the castle by the Count, who has surprised him with Barbarina, the gardener’s daughter. He comes to beg Susanna to intercede for him with the Countess, but the Count arrives hoping to obtain an assignation with Susanna. On his approach, the page hides behind an armchair. The arrival of Basilio obliges Almaviva to hide in his turn, but he leaps out when he hears Basilio refer to Cherubino’s passion for the Countess. The page is soon discovered; the Count gives him a commission and orders him to join his regiment without delay.

Act II
The Countess, abandoned by her husband, is ready to assist Figaro and Susanna in their plan to marry as soon as possible thereby thwarting Almaviva. They intend to send an anonymous letter causing the Count to worry about his wife’s conduct; then to send the page disguised as a girl to the assignation he has made with the maid. In the Countess’ bedchamber, Cherubino dresses in woman’s clothing and sings his “romance”. The banter is interrupted by the arrival of the Count, who, alerted by the note, is jealous. The page escapes via the window. The Count, mad with rage, enters his wife’s chamber to discover not a man but Susanna. Everything would be all right if it were not for Antonio, the gardener, who has seen Cherubino jump from the window onto his flower beds. The Count feels he has been tricked. Marcellina arrives with Bartolo and Basilio giving him the opportunity to avenge himself; he promises to see that the contract is honoured: Figaro will marry Marcellina.

Act III
Susanna pretends to accept the Count’s assignation, but manifests her joy at deceiving him too loudly. He hears her and his wounded pride makes him swear more than ever to defend Marcellina’s cause. The judge Don Curzio arrives and condemns Figaro to marry Marcellina if he cannot pay his debt. But there is a turn of events when it is discovered that Figaro is none other than the son of Marcellina and Bartolo. Meanwhile, the Countess, awaiting Susanna’s return, is consumed with melancholy. Susanna returns. She writes a letter to the Count, dictated by the Countess, giving the time and place of the assignation: it is the Countess who will be there dressed in her maid’s clothes. Cherubino, in disguise, mingles with the young girls who have come to offer flowers to the Countess. He is unmasked. But the Count stifles his anger as the joyful bridal procession arrives for the ceremony. During the festivities, Susanna hands the Count the note dictated by the Countess.

Act IV
Barbarina informs Figaro, who is unaware of the deception, of the meeting between the Count and Susanna. Worried, he hides upon the arrival of the Countess and Susanna (who have exchanged clothes). He observes and listens. The disguises and the darkness create a series of misunderstandings. Remarks, slaps and kisses are all bestowed on the wrong people. Cherubino takes the Countess for Susanna; then it is the turn of the Count to make his long awaited declaration to the woman he takes for the maid, while Figaro throws himself at the feet of the so-called Countess. Figaro and Susanna are spotted by the Count, who believes he is being cuckolded and in a fury summons his men. To his great confusion, he discovers that it is to his wife that he has been addressing his passionate declarations of love. Everyone’s true identity is revealed and the pardon granted by the true Countess puts an end to the turmoil and emotion of this “mad day”.

Artists

Opera in four acts
After Pierre Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais Le Mariage de Figaro

Creative team

Cast

Orchestra and Chorus of the Opéra national de Paris

With the support of Aline Foriel-Destezet
-
"The Marriage of Figaro" is being filmed by Andy Sommer in a co-production by the Paris Opera and Bel Air media, with the participation of France Télévisions, the support of the CNC and the Orange Foundation, sponsor of the Paris Opera's audiovisual broadcasts.

This production will be broadcast live on Culturebox on 3 February 2022 at 7.30pm and also, with the participation of Fra cinéma, in UGC cinemas, as part of their "Viva l'opéra!" season, in CGR cinemas and in independent cinemas in France and throughout the world. It will later be broadcast on a channel of France Télévisions.

Media

  • Draw-me Les Nozze di Figaro

    Draw-me Les Nozze di Figaro

    Watch the video

  • "Are we really acting?"

    "Are we really acting?"

    Watch the video

  • Podcast Les Noces de Figaro

    Podcast Les Noces de Figaro

    Listen the podcast

  • The Magic of Mozart

    The Magic of Mozart

    Watch the video

Draw-me Les Nozze di Figaro

Watch the video

Understand the plot in 1 minute

1:45 min

Draw-me Les Nozze di Figaro

By Octave

The Marriage of Figaro is one of the repertoire’s most iconic works. Brahms spoke of it as a “miracle” and the Countess’s lament remains one of the most heart-rending musical pages of all time. By taking up Beaumarchais’ comedy, which had caused a scandal to shake Parisian society, Mozart and Da Ponte’s success was secured. The play had even been banned by Joseph II in 1785 at Theatre of Vienna. Did it shine too much light on the contradictions of an already faltering regime, ready to collapse with the French Revolution? Netia Jones’ new production retains the very essence of Beaumarchais’ play as she humorously yet mischievously explores human relationships in a universe that confuses reality and fiction to the point of asking, like the Count: “Are we playing in a comedy?”

"Are we really acting?"

Watch the video

Netia Jones directs Le Nozze di Figaro

5:17 min

"Are we really acting?"

By Solène Souriau

Invited for the first time to the Paris Opera, Netia Jones presents a new production of Le Nozze du Figaro, for which she has also created the sets, costumes and videos. Beaumarchais' play lies at the heart of this masterpiece by Mozart and Da Ponte. Between a perfectly constructed theatrical plot and profoundly contemporary situations and characters, the director explores the fine line between reality and fiction, and reminds us of our own questions and aspirations.

© Vincent Pontet / OnP

Podcast Les Noces de Figaro

Listen the podcast

"Dance! Sing! 7 minutes at the Paris Opera" - by France Musique

Podcast Les Noces de Figaro

By Charlotte Landru-Chandès

"Dance! Sing! 7 minutes at the Paris Opera" offers original incursions into the season thanks to broadcasts produced by France Musique and the Paris Opera. For each opera or ballet production, Charlotte Landru-Chandès (opera) and Jean-Baptiste Urbain (dance), present the works and artists you are going to discover when you attend performances in our theatres.

The Magic of Mozart

Watch the video

Interview with Gustavo Dudamel

5:34 min

The Magic of Mozart

By Marion Mirande

Invited for the first time to the Paris Opera, Netia Jones presents a new production of Le Nozze du Figaro, for which she has also created the sets, costumes and videos. Beaumarchais' play lies at the heart of this masterpiece by Mozart and Da Ponte. Between a perfectly constructed theatrical plot and profoundly contemporary situations and characters, the director explores the fine line between reality and fiction, and reminds us of our own questions and aspirations.    

Playlist

  • [EXTRAIT] LES NOCES DE FIGARO by Mozart (James Creswell)
  • [EXTRAIT] LES NOCES DE FIGARO by Mozart (Maria Bengtsson)
  • [TRAILER] LES NOCES DE FIGARO by Mozart
  • Les Noces de Figaro (saison 21/22) - (Luca Pisaroni)

  • Les Noces de Figaro (saison 21/22) - (Lea Desandre)

  • Les Noces de Figaro (saison 21/22) - (Ying Fang et Luca Pisaroni)

  • Les Noces de Figaro (saison 21/22) - (James Creswell)

  • Les Noces de Figaro (saison 21/22) - (Christopher Maltman)

  • Les Noces de Figaro (saison 21/22) - Non So Piu Cosa Son (Lea Desandre)

Access and services

Palais Garnier

Place de l'Opéra

75009 Paris

Public transport

Underground Opéra (lignes 3, 7 et 8), Chaussée d’Antin (lignes 7 et 9), Madeleine (lignes 8 et 14), Auber (RER A)

Bus 20, 21, 27, 29, 32, 45, 52, 66, 68, 95, N15, N16

Calculate my route
Car park

Q-Park Edouard VII16 16, rue Bruno Coquatrix 75009 Paris

Book your parking spot

At the Palais Garnier, buy €10 tickets for seats in the 6th category (very limited visibility, two tickets maximum per person) on the day of the performance at the Box offices.

In both our venues, discounted tickets are sold at the box offices from 30 minutes before the show:

  • €35 tickets for under-28s, unemployed people (with documentary proof less than 3 months old) and senior citizens over 65 with non-taxable income (proof of tax exemption for the current year required)
  • €70 tickets for senior citizens over 65

Get samples of the operas and ballets at the Paris Opera gift shops: programmes, books, recordings, and also stationery, jewellery, shirts, homeware and honey from Paris Opera.

Palais Garnier
  • Every day from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and until performances end
  • Get in from Place de l’Opéra or from within the theatre’s public areas
  • For more information: +33 1 53 43 03 97

Palais Garnier

Place de l'Opéra

75009 Paris

Public transport

Underground Opéra (lignes 3, 7 et 8), Chaussée d’Antin (lignes 7 et 9), Madeleine (lignes 8 et 14), Auber (RER A)

Bus 20, 21, 27, 29, 32, 45, 52, 66, 68, 95, N15, N16

Calculate my route
Car park

Q-Park Edouard VII16 16, rue Bruno Coquatrix 75009 Paris

Book your parking spot

At the Palais Garnier, buy €10 tickets for seats in the 6th category (very limited visibility, two tickets maximum per person) on the day of the performance at the Box offices.

In both our venues, discounted tickets are sold at the box offices from 30 minutes before the show:

  • €35 tickets for under-28s, unemployed people (with documentary proof less than 3 months old) and senior citizens over 65 with non-taxable income (proof of tax exemption for the current year required)
  • €70 tickets for senior citizens over 65

Get samples of the operas and ballets at the Paris Opera gift shops: programmes, books, recordings, and also stationery, jewellery, shirts, homeware and honey from Paris Opera.

Palais Garnier
  • Every day from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and until performances end
  • Get in from Place de l’Opéra or from within the theatre’s public areas
  • For more information: +33 1 53 43 03 97

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