Opera Scotland

Marriage of Figaro

Posted 5 Nov 2010

Scottish Opera’s new production of Marriage of Figaro has opened to almost universal acclaim. This piece, one of a handful of truly great operatic works, is presented in a traditional mainstream production and has been praised for the magnificent acting and singing of every member of the cast. Directed by Sir Thomas Allen, the staging catches every nuance of this engaging drama. The piece has captured the interest of Scots ever since 1819 when it had its first performance in Edinburgh.

Kate Valentine takes the role of Countess with Ulrike Meyer as Cherubino. Thomas Oliemans stars as Figaro, Nadine Livingston as Susanna and Roderick Williams as Almaviva. The national critics mostly joined in the praise, reserving any criticism for Francesco Corti’s conducting, which some said needed more performances to allow him to bring out the subtlety possible in this remarkable score.