The award-winning Oxford Opera Company never does anything by halves! So when they decided that their 11th production since 2017 would be The Marriage of Figaro at Oxford Playhouse they decided to go all out.
In what will be their fifth fully-staged production at Oxford Playhouse – expect a cast of 18 UK-based opera professionals, 21 members of the Oxford Opera Youth Company and the Oxford Opera Orchestra playing at period pitch, in a new, company commissioned English translation, and the return of their ever-popular Family Matinee – a shortened but perfect introduction for young children and their families.
It’s safe to say that Mozart‘s classic comic opera is about to burst to life on October 9-10.
‘come and enjoy our brand new, fast, funny and fresh look at one of Mozart’s all time greatest operas’
The opera relates the high speed comedy of social and sexual politics which all takes place over one chaotic day in a stately home, and is still as relevant today as it was when Mozart composed it in 1786, according to Oxford Opera Company‘s proud founder, CEO and Artistic Director Stuart Pendred.
Stuart urges you to join the fun, as the smart-witted partnership of Figaro and his love Susanna, with the help of the spurned Countess, outwit the entitled snobbery of the Count. With sub-plot upon sub-plot this is operatic comedy at its finest!
‘we want to make The Marriage of Figaro as easy to access, understand and enjoy enjoy as possible’
To make it even more enticing, Oxford Opera has cut its running time to 2.5 hours, including the interval, by removing some of the recitals by turning them into spoken dialogue. “As part of our accessibility ethos, as seen in our productions of Tosca and The Magic Flute, we have chose nto perform in English as we want to make The Marriage of Figaro as easy to access, understand and enjoy enjoy as possible for our audiences,” he says. “
We also wanted to perform something lighter after last year’s sold out Tosca so The Marriage Of Figaro was an obvious choice.
As for what to expect, Stuart says: “”It’s going to be colourful, chaotic, with a hint of farce with lots of hiding behind doors and revelations to heighten the plot,” he promises, “Figaro has got it all going on!”
Boasting a heady mix of sex, power and politics, Stuart explains: “The count thinks he can do whatever he wants and have everyone and everything. The themes are universal – love, betrayal, adulation and entitlement, all wrapped up in the most amazing comedy, which returning Director Katie Blackwell is presenting at full tilt! And of course, Mozart’s incredible music. “
‘Watching these young people working with fully professional singers is something that I could only have dreamed of as a child’
Oxford Opera has always been proud to create opportunities for the brightest UK based singers to develop and grow their careers, and this cast is no different. Scottish soprano Rachel Spiers makes her full role debut as Susanna, likewise Hugo Herman-Wilson, debuts as Figaro following his debut at Glydnebourne this summer, Jack Holton as Count Almaviva comes to Oxford from WNO, with Nikolett Mráz as Countess Almaviva making up the core quartet.
Stuart is also really excited to have 21 members of Oxford Opera’s Youth Company, made up of young people from all across the county. “Watching these young people working with fully professional singers is something that I could only have dreamed of as a child.
“So do come and enjoy this brand new, fast, funny and fresh look at one of Mozart’s all time greatest operas!”
‘Oxford Opera has always been proud to create opportunities for the brightest UK based singers to develop and grow their careers, and this cast is no different’
Plus, the tickets at Oxford Playhouse have focused on this production being as accessible to everyone as possible: “We are so passionate about accessibility and opportunity for everyone – including the audience! Oxford Opera is Opera for Everyone!
Patrons Susan Bullock CBE and Richard Berkeley-Steele agree: “Book tickets to Oxford Opera’s forthcoming production of The Marriage of Figaro. This company has worked incredibly hard over the past ten years to bring not only full scale productions to Oxford, but by also taking opera into the community in many different formats.”
‘Thanks to the dedication and hard work of Oxford Opera, literally thousands of school children have been able to experience opera. Oxford Opera is Opera for Everyone!”
Thanks to the dedication and hard work of the Oxford Opera team, literally thousands of school children have been able to experience opera many of them going on to take part in the company’s production. Oxford Opera is Opera for Everyone!”
Oxford Opera presents Mozart’s joyful masterpiece The Marriage Of Figaro at Oxford Playhouse on October 9-10 – BOOK HERE
