LE NOZZE DI FIGARO by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is an extraordinary masterpiece, based on a subtle and complex libretto by Lorenzo da Ponte. On April 26, it will be shown live in cinemas in Germany and Austria, conducted by Met debut artist Joana Mallwitz.
Mozart's brilliant music for LE NOZZE DI FIGARO is characterized by impressive refinement and complexity. In his score, he masterfully combines comedy, emotionality, and psychological depth. The ensemble numbers and arias are extremely demanding from a compositional standpoint, with each character having its own distinct musical personality.
The plot is full of intrigues, mistaken identities, and twists, but behind the entertaining comedy lies a subtle social critique, as the opera addresses themes such as power, class differences, and the status of women in the 18th century. Thus, the opera is not only a delight for music lovers, but also offers a fascinating glimpse into the society and culture of that time.
The cast of this Met broadcast is of the highest caliber: Joshua Hopkins impresses as Count Almaviva with his velvety baritone. He reaches new heights alongside Federica Lombardi, who paints a heart-rending portrait of a marital crisis with her sovereign phrasing and floating tones. Michael Sumuel is a Figaro with plenty of charisma and a fine sense of comedy. His soft yet virile bass-baritone blends excellently with Olga Kulchynska's Susanna, who has a pearly-toned voice. With her full-bodied mezzo and her comedic timing, Sun-Ly Pierce is the perfect casting for the role of the mischievous young Cherubino, both vocally and dramatically.
Director Richard Eyre stages the story as a fast-paced, madcap farce, creating an absolutely captivating performance that successfully captures the essence of Mozart's magnificent score and the complexity of the characters. On the podium, Joana Mallwitz, who has been hailed as one of the outstanding conductors of her generation since her acclaimed appearance at the 2020 Salzburg Festival, makes her Met debut.
You can find a trailer for LE NOZZE DI FIGARO here.
The 2024/2025 Met season will be broadcast live on over 200 screens in Germany and Austria. Ticket sales are already underway. The list of participating cinemas and further information can be found at www.metimkino.de.
The upcoming MET LIVE IN CINEMA program:
- 17 May Strauss SALOME (Elza van den Heever, Peter Mattei)
- 31 May Rossini IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA (Aigul Akhmetshina, Jack Swanson)
Press materials are available for download on the FTP server:
https:\ftp.leoninestudios.com / Username: claspresse1 / Password: Claart4Claic!
For inquiries and if you are interested in interviews with artists or a raffle for tickets to one of the live broadcasts, please contact:
Katja Raths, Head of Clasart Classic Tel: +49 (0) 89 999 513 421
Email: katja.raths@leoninestudios.com
or
Katharina Biro, Senior Manager Clasart Classic Tel: +49 (0) 89 999 513 420
Email: katharina.biro@leoninestudios.com
