The Marriage of Figaro: 'lively' revival of Mozart's comedy 'zings along'
David McVicar's 'ever-fresh' production is back at the Royal Opera House
First seen 18 years ago, David McVicar's Royal Opera staging of "The Marriage of Figaro" is back for its 11th revival. The show "still gets plenty of laughs", said Richard Morrison in The Times, which is "far from guaranteed" in modern productions of "Mozart's greatest comedy".
The "dense, swiftly moving plot is notoriously difficult to articulate", said George Hall in The Stage, yet McVicar's revival remains "marvellously lucid and sure-footed". Set in a château in 1830 on the eve of France's second revolution, Tanya McCallin's sets and costumes are a "triumph" and provide a "handsome visual context" for the show.
Julia Jones has been brought back to conduct with "exemplary results", making Mozart's score "zing along". A "true ensemble show" with "no weak links", there are several stand-outs: mezzo Ginger Costa-Jackson brings the "awkward, boy-obsessed" Cherubino to life and his two arias are among the high points of the evening.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
It's a "lively" revival of Figaro, added Nicholas Kenyon in The Telegraph, and McVicar "fills Mozart's score with buzzing action". The artful sets slide "seamlessly" between acts, "atmospherically" lit by Paule Constable.
There are some "superb" performances, said Tim Ashley in The Guardian. Ying Fang makes her debut as a "curiously reflective" Susanna. Although "less immediately spirited" than some of her predecessors, the "silky" tone of her voice is "lovely" to listen to and her rendition of "Deh Vieni Non Tardar" is "exquisite". Figaro, played by Luca Micheletti, is "handsome, warm-voiced and morally aware", while Maria Bengtsson "lays bare the Countess's anguish of soul with understated intensity".
But while Jones brings "fierce energy and drive" to the production, she could "on occasion hold back more": "Dove Sono" was "propelled urgently forward" and felt "fractionally too fast", and at times the orchestra is "too prominent, sometimes obscuring the voices".
The orchestra was playing "louder than I have heard Mozart played in an opera house", agreed Richard Morrison in The Times. Thankfully Jones "turns down the volume" for the Countess and Susanna's "big numbers": both are "ravishing".
"The Marriage of Figaro" is at the Royal Opera House, London, until 15 September
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Irenie Forshaw is a features writer at The Week, covering arts, culture and travel. She began her career in journalism at Leeds University, where she wrote for the student newspaper, The Gryphon, before working at The Guardian and The New Statesman Group. Irenie then became a senior writer at Elite Traveler, where she oversaw The Experts column.
-
Without Cuba, US State Sponsors of Terrorism list shortens
The Explainer How the remaining three countries on the U.S. terrorism blacklist earned their spots
By David Faris Published
-
Codeword: January 21, 2025
The Week's daily codeword puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
Crossword: January 21, 2025
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
Where in the world to hop on a hot air balloon
The Week Recommends Float above California vineyards, Swiss Alps and the plains of the Serengeti
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
The 8 best items to buy from beloved museum gift shops
The Week Recommends Enjoy these artsy products from the comfort of home
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
Hang 10 at El Zonte, a surfer's paradise in El Salvador
The Week Recommends Catch some waves and a great cup of coffee
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
4 tips for keeping your resolutions
The Week Recommends New Year's resolutions seem made to be broken, but with a few adjustments, you can give yourself a shot at sticking with it
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Chemnitz: an 'unlikely renaissance' for the 'forgotten' town
The Week Recommends The birthplace of Germany's industrial revolution is hoping to reinvent itself
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
TV to watch in January, including 'Severance' and 'The Night Agent'
The Week Recommends Two hit series are back this month for much-anticipated second seasons
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US Published
-
Movies to watch in January, including 'Wolf Man' and 'The Last Showgirl'
The Week Recommends A creature feature, a bizarre biopic and a haunted house movie from the ghost's POV
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US Published
-
8 eagerly awaited hotels opening in 2025
The Week Recommends A new year means several anticipated hotel openings are on the horizon
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published