Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro

The Marriage of Figaro from the Royal Opera House: Alex Esposito, Louise Alder, Andrey Zhilikhovsky and Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha star as Figaro, Susanna, the Count and the Countess in David McVicar’s classic staging Le nozze di Figaro, the work that confirmed Mozart’s status as the premier opera composer of his day.

From the bustling Overture to its poignant conclusion, The Marriage of Figaro is brimful of wonderful music. The bouncing tune of Figaro's ironic farewell to Cherubino in 'Non più andrai' (You shall go no more), as he packs the amorous teenager off to war, and Cherubino’s lovestruck aria to the Countess, ‘Voi che sapete’ (You who know what love is), which combines a sweet, pleading melody with an entertaining account of the first pangs of teenage lust, became so famous that they were whistled on the streets of Vienna. Meanwhile, the Countess’ aria 'Dove sono' (Where are they [those happy moments]) eloquently conveys her pain and heartbreak as she longs for past happiness. Mozart’s opera also contains entertaining ensemble pieces, such as the closing scene of Act II, in which Figaro's plans unravel at breakneck speed. As so often with Mozart, forgiveness is a key theme, and the Count's Act IV plea to his wife, 'Contessa, perdono' (Countess, forgive me), is another highlight of Mozart's genius.

Aside from its miraculous musical qualities, the work has exceptional emotional range. Sex farce jostles with deep psychological predicaments, buffoonery with the most complex of human feelings, and an ending tinged with melancholy.

Presented by Andrew McGregor with guest, Catriona Seth, Marshal Foch Professor of French Literature at Oxford University.

Mozart: The Marriage of Figaro - Le nozze di Figaro (Opera in Four Acts)
Libretto Lorenzo da Ponte after Beaumarchais' La folle journée ou le mariage de Figaro

Figaro.... Alex Esposito
Susanna.... Louise Alder
Count Almaviva.... Andrey Zhilikhovsky
Countess Almaviva.... Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha
Cherubino.... Svetlina Stoyanova
Bartolo.... Carlo Lepore
Marcellina.... Rosie Aldridge
Don Basilio.... Gregory Bonfatti
Antonio.... Mark Saberton
Don Curzio.... Colin Judson
Barbarina.... Marianna Hovanisyan
First Bridesmaid.... Caroline Modiba
Second Bridesmaid.... Miranda Westcott

Chorus and Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
Bertrand de Billy (conductor)

Recorded Live at The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.