The Marriage of Figaro

Short Synopsis of “The Marriage of Figaro”

Act 1
In the 18th century, in Spain, this story takes place on the wedding day of Figaro and Susanna, Count Almaviva’s servants. Figaro is surprised to hear Susanna’s confession: she is being pursued by the Count. Figaro gets angry, and vows to foil the Count’s intentions.

Act 2
Figaro plans his strategy. It is that Susanna will write to the Count agreeing to a rendevous, but they will send the adolescent page, Cherubino, dressed in women’s clothes. Figaro and Susanna get the Countess’s consent. When they are disguising Cherubino, the Count unexpectedly arrives. Unfortunately, Figaro’s plan failed. 
Additionally, Marcellina, an elderly woman, appears there with her lawyer, Bartolo. They remind Figaro of the promise he made to marry Marcellina if he failed to pay back the loan she made to him. Figaro and Susanna’s plans to marry seem to be lost.

Act 3
But a big new truth is revealed. That truth is that Figaro who was an abandoned baby, is the long-lost son of Bartolo and Marcellina. Figaro and his parents embraced each other. Then, Susanna joins them. Figaro and Susanna’s plans to marry go ahead without interruption. Further Bartolo and Marcellina also marry, resulting in a double wedding.
By the way, the Count... he continues to try seducing Susanna. The Countess is amazed at his foolishness. She decided that she would disguise herself as Susanna to meet him in the garden that night.

Act 4
That same night, the Count goes to meet Susanna in the garden of his mansion. He makes a move on his wife who is dressed in Susanna’s clothes. The Countess can get evidence of his affair. Then, she reveals herself to him. The Count realizes that his lover is his wife, and is very surprised. However, the Countess forgives her husband who regrets what he had done.

Program and cast

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Running Time: 3 hours 40 minutes intermission included

Opera buffa in four acts

Libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte

Teatro alla Scala Production

Teatro alla Scala Orchestra and Chorus

Students of the Ballet School of the Teatro alla Scala Academy
Conductor: Andrés Orozco-Estrada
Staging: Giorgio Strehler
revived by: Marina Bianchi
Sets: Ezio Frigerio
Costumes: Franca Squarciapino
Lights Marco: Filibeck
Choreography: Frédéric Olivieri

Cast

Count Almaviva: Ildebrando D'Arcangelo
Countess Almaviva: Olga Bezsmertna
Susanna: Benedetta Torre
Figaro: Luca Micheletti
Cherubino: Svetlina Stoyanova
Marcellina: Anna-Doris Capitelli
Don Bartolo: Andrea Concetti
Don Basilio: Matteo Falcier
Don Curzio: Paolo Nevi
Barbarina: Caterina Sala