Mozart’s Opera Le nozze di Figaro in a New, Classical Staging with a Twist

Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro is a comedy filled with delightful complications. However, at its core, the opera, which depicts a count demanding his feudal right to the first night with the servant Susanna on her wedding day, explores the themes of power and privilege. It portrays a man insisting on his prerogatives, even when they are both unjust and unlawful.

A struggle for survival
In this masterful opera exploring love, infidelity, and forgiveness, the artistic trio of Anne Barslev, Rikke Juellund, and Astrid Lynge Ottosen delve into the complexities of navigating a rigid social hierarchy.

“Le nozze di Figaro, in my view, is a strikingly relevant and contemporary opera about the fight for survival, the right to self-determination, and the right to bodily autonomy,” says director Anne Barslev. “Every character in Le nozze di Figaro is striving to survive and find their place in the world. Everyone feels displaced, uncomfortable in their current circumstances. It’s a profound psychological drama, and the humour arises from the chaos that ensues as people fight for their own survival.”

A claustrophobic microcosm
In Le nozze di Figaro, each character navigates the precarious balance of narrowly defined societal norms, where a single misstep can lead to a devastating fall. The entire opera unfolds within Rikke Juellund’s labyrinthine set design, a claustrophobic microcosm that traps the characters, from the gilded heights of the upper class to the decaying depths of the working class. Astrid Lynge Ottosen’s exquisite Rococo costumes, imbued with a timeless quality, further accentuate this visual narrative.

Passion for Mozart
Internationally acclaimed British conductor Nicholas McGegan, celebrated for his interpretations of early music and his deep passion for Mozart, will lead the Royal Danish Orchestra in a performance of Le nozze di Figaro. This beloved opera showcases some of Mozart’s most exquisite ensembles and arias. Clara Cecilie Thomsen and Sofie Elkjær Jensen will embody the roles of Susanna and La Contessa, respectively. Joining them are new ensemble soloists Henning von Schulman and Theodore Platt, who will portray Figaro and Il Conte.

Revolutionary source
Composed during an era of social upheaval, when aristocratic privileges were being questioned and revolutionary fervour simmered beneath the surface, Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro reflects the tensions of its time. The opera’s source material, the French playwright Beaumarchais’ revolutionary comedy La Folle Journée, ou Le Mariage de Figaro, was itself considered highly controversial and banned from public performance. Despite the winds of change blowing through society, Mozart’s decision to adapt Beaumarchais’ play into an opera was not without risk.

Le nozze di Figaro | New Production | 06 October - 17 November 2024

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