PR - OperaDelaware presents Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - MAY 18, 2022

Wilmington, DE — OperaDelaware returns to The Grand this weekend with Mozart’s enchanting comedy, The Marriage of Figaro. The opera opens Friday, May 20 at 7:30 pm and will be followed by an encore performance on Sunday, May 22 at 2 pm. Tickets start at $29. For tickets, info, and safety protocols, see operade.org. 

Packed with sublime music and plenty of flirting, mischief, and mayhem, The Marriage of Figaro has been called Mozart’s greatest comedy. Based on the play by Pierre Beaumarchais, the story is a sequel to Rossini’s The Barber of Seville, which the company presented in February 2022. Figaro, now personal valet to Count Almaviva, is set to wed Susanna, when he learns that the Count has fixed his wandering eye on the bride to be. With the help of a few friends (including the Countess), the lovebirds devise a cheeky game of cat and mouse to outwit Almaviva and teach him a lesson.

The production stars baritone Efraín Solís as Figaro, soprano Robin Steitz as Susanna, baritone Sean Anderson as Count Almaviva, soprano Toni Marie Palmertree as Countess Almaviva, and mezzo-soprano Lauren Cook as Cherubino. Rounding out the extraordinary ensemble cast are mezzo-soprano Claudia Chapa as Marcellina, bass-baritone Timothy Madden as Bartolo, tenor Peter Joshua Burroughs as Don Basilio/Don Curzio, soprano Hannah Von Riesen as Barbarina, and OD General Director Brendan Cooke as Antonio. 

OD Music Director Maestro Anthony Barrese will conduct the OperaDelaware orchestra and Dean Anthony directs this charming production. Set design is by Jefferson Ridenour and lighting design is by Tláloc Lopez-Watermann. Costume design is by Glenn Breed with wigs and makeup by Brittany V.A. Rappise.

“Presenting opera during a pandemic has been challenging, but it has also been incredibly instructive and empowering,” said OD General Director Brendan Cooke. “I don’t have adequate words to describe how it feels to close our season with this gorgeous production, so I'll borrow a few from Figaro librettist, Lorenzo da Ponte:  ‘Ah, then let us be happy! This day of torments, of whims and folly, only love can end. Betrothed, friends, let's dance and play… And to the sounds of a happy march, let's celebrate!"

THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO
Sung in Italian with projected English supertitles

May 20 at 7:30 pm
May 22 at 2 pm 

Performances at The Grand
818 N. Market St., Wilmington, DE 19801
Tickets available through OperaDelaware’s Box Office: 
operade.org/tickets
302-442-7807 (Mon. – Fri., 9 am – 5 pm)

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MORE INFORMATION:
https://www.operade.org/the-marriage-of-figaro

HIGH-RES PRODUCTION IMAGES FOR DOWNLOAD:
https://www.operade.org/od-images

About OperaDelaware: OperaDelaware, now in its 77th season, is a professional non-profit opera company with a reputation for excellence in both opera and arts education. OperaDelaware opens the door to bold, vibrant and creative operatic programming that enriches the community, transforms audiences, and encourages dialogue.

MEDIA RELATIONS

Press contact: For interview requests, please email us at bcooke@operade.org or call 302-658-8063.

Organizational images: Available for download here

 Advertising inquiries: For advertising and sponsorship information, please contact Jordan Barrett at jbarrett@operade.org.