Seattle Opera’s 2021/22 season goes out with a bang as the company mounts a cherished opera alongside a host of events that highlight up-and-coming voices.
The final mainstage opera of the season is Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s crafty comedy The Marriage of Figaro (May 7–22, 2022 at McCaw Hall). Beloved for its irresistible melodies, iconic ensemble numbers, and witty commentary on social class and gender roles, this opera has long been a favorite of audiences and critics alike.
“The Marriage of Figaro has survived for almost 250 years because the story it tells remains fresh and perpetually alive,” says the opera’s stage director, Peter Kazaras. “We recognize the characters and sympathize with their plights. On their wedding day, Figaro and Susanna must not only surmount obstacles hurled into their path, but also continue to fulfill their daily responsibilities—if only others would let them!”
Kazaras’s traditional production uses stunning visual elements that emphasize the opera’s fast-paced comedy. Says Kazaras, “color-saturated costumes stand out against a set that suggests things are not quite what they seem, providing a tantalizing backdrop for the tremendous talent of our fabulous performers.”
Joining Kazaras is a star-studded cast of internationally renowned artists. At the helm is conductor Alevtina Ioffe, one of Europe’s most heralded and sought-after conductors making her Seattle Opera debut. Bass-baritone Ryan McKinny makes his Seattle Opera debut as Figaro, fresh off his engagement in the same role at The Metropolitan Opera. And filling the breeches role of Cherubino is Ukranian mezzo soprano Olga Syniakova, whose recent poignant performance of Verdi’s Requiem at the Brucknerhaus Linz was met with particular acclaim.
Tickets on sale now at https://www.seattleopera.org/on-stage/marriage-of-figaro 2022/, ranging from $35–$369. For Family Day on Sunday, May 15, students 18 and under pay only $20 for almost any seat, with special student-oriented activities during intermission.
