From November 21-25, University Opera will present W.A. Mozart and Lorenzo Da Ponte’s monumental opera The Marriage of Figaro (Le nozze di Figaro). Directed by Karen K. Bishop Director of Opera David Ronis, and conducted by UW–Madison Director of Orchestral Activities Oriol Sans, the production will feature student performers from the School of Music, accompanied by the University Symphony Orchestra at Music Hall.
Mozart’s masterpiece is, without a doubt, one of the great works of western culture. With a sublime score, hilarious comedy, and deeply human narrative, it never fails to please. Based on Pierre Beaumarchais’ paradigm-changing play, Figaro features realistic portraits of 18th-century aristocrats and servants and mirrors the burgeoning revolutionary spirit in France in the 1780s. But it’s the story and the score that really hook us. We root for Susanna, Figaro, and Countess Almaviva, as they sing beautiful arias and ensembles and successfully teach the Count a lesson in humility.
The story centers on Count Almaviva, who wants to revive the “droit du Seigneur,” the right of a lord to bed a servant’s bride on her wedding night. Susanna – his wife’s maid and confidant as well as Figaro’s fiancé–is his current target. Figaro and Susanna, along with the Countess, devise a plan to thwart the Count’s advances and expose his inappropriate behavior. Add into the mix Mozart’s memorable score, a group of colorful supporting characters, plus additional plot twists and turns and you have the ingredients for a wonderful, enlightening, and moving theatrical experience.
This production will involve over 70 UW–Madison students–singers, instrumentalists, technicians, and stage crew–spanning a wide age range, from first year undergrads to doctoral students. The title role of Figaro will be performed, alternately, by Austin Demerath and Michael Kelley. His betrothed, Susanna, will be taken by Danielle Bullock and Hannah Ray. Count Almaviva will be played by Alex Cook while his wife, the Countess, will be split between Katie Eggers and Gillian Hollis. Kaitlin Case and Rach Misner will both take on the role of the randy page boy, Cherubino. The colorful supporting cast includes Marcellina–Amelia Eichmeier and Niha Patankar; Basilio–Jacob Zehr; Bartolo and Antonio–Jackson Ahern; and Barbarina–Kyla Moore, Eva Perez, and Haley Street.
The Two Young Ladies will be Emma Hatch and Abbey Hoffman. Besides Maestro Sans, the musical team will consist of UW–Madison faculty vocal coach Thomas Kasdorf (musical preparation and harpsichord continuo), and Michael Wu (rehearsal pianist). Graduate conducting student Katie Crim will serve as assistant conductor and conduct one performance. Doctoral student Benjamin Hanson will be in charge of choral preparation.
The production will be designed by Juliana Gessner, with lighting by Kenneth Ferencek, costumes by Kenneth Hoversten and Emily Popp, wigs by Jan Ross, and props by Zak Wolff. Erek Weis will be the technical director, and the production stage manager will be Nathan Lê. Others on the production team include Jackson Ahern, operations manager for University Opera; costume assistants Katie Eggers, Zoë Miller and Kyla Moore; head carpenter Scott Shapiro; lighting board operator Ray Erickson; and assistant stage managers Victoria Lopez and Rugy Montgomery.
Ticket prices range from $10 to $32, and are available in advance through the Campus Arts Ticketing office at (608) 265-ARTS and online. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the Wisconsin Union Theater Box Office Monday-Friday, 11:30 am to 5:30 pm, and Saturdays, 12 pm-5 pm, as well as at the door beginning one hour before the performance.
