Figaro

The Marriage of Figaro

Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-91)
Libretto by Lorenzo da Ponte (1749-1838)

A cornerstone of the operatic repertoire, The Marriage of Figaro is one of the most famous operas ever written. A boisterous romantic comedy, the story intertwines well-known melodies with a wildly entertaining parade of identities mistaken, ruses gone awry, tables turned, and no end of surprises.

Mozart’s brilliant comic opera, sung in English, covers one “crazy day” in a nobleman’s court. Colorful sets and rich costumes showcase a cast of nationally known opera stars and full orchestra. Launching its tenth season, Rimrock Opera’s production is set for Saturday, September 20, at 7:30 and Sunday, September 21, at 3:00 PM at the Alberta Bair Theater.

SynopsisCast of Characters:

COUNT ALMAVIVA Christopher Holmes - baritone, about 26, immensely wealthy, married to Rosina; bored, unhappy young lord of the manor, who both before and after his marriage has been seeking comfort in the beds of other women; insecure in love, lavish, generous and extravagant, solitary, brooding; with a great capacity for suspicion and able to be wildly jealous of Rosina. Fancies himself a wild, romantic womanizer. Liable to vent his temper on anyone available; not much interested in ruling his subjects or improving their lives in any way; consequently rather unpopular with them. Has recently abolished the droit de seigneur; is now pursuing Susanna and has become jealous and resentful of Figaro for being betrothed to her.

Countess Almaviva (ROSINA) Diedra Walker - soprano, 19, Bartolo's former ward; married three years ago to the Count. The strongest character in the opera; still very much in love with the Count despite his treatment of her. Tries to turn a blind eye to his affairs. Gentle, graceful and dignified, patches up the Count's sporadic and thoughtless treatment of his subjects - loved by them. Clever, wry sense of humor; covers up her feelings when in company. Susanna is her closest friend.

SUSANNA Amy Logan- soprano, 19, chambermaid and confidante to Rosina; betrothed (later married) to Figaro. Quick-witted, competent, mercurial, bold, sharp-tongued, a born mimic; generally easy and joyous attitude to life. Has a soft spot for Cherubino, as do most of the women in the castle. Despises the Count, but refrains from criticizing him too much in Rosina's company.

FIGARO Robert Aaron Taylor - bass, about 28, previously the Barber of Seville; three years ago helped the Count obtain Rosina, in gratitude was made his personal valet; self-educated, betrothed to Susanna. Has recently lost the Count's good will on account of being engaged to Susanna. Looks at everything with a broad humor, even the Count's pursuit of his fiancée. More easy-going than Susanna, not at all suspicious but able to be as hot-blooded as any of the others when occasion demands it. Adept at plotting and getting out of difficult situations; able to think on his feet.

CHERUBINO Meghan Dibble - mezzo-soprano, 12-13, a love-obsessed young page in Almaviva's castle; the Countess's godson; possibly one of the Count's many illegitimate offspring around the place from before his marriage. Just coming to terms with hormones - has crushes on Rosina, Susanna, Barbarina, Marcellina and most of the other women in the palace. Elegant, flighty, accomplished, self-admiring, cheeky, fancies himself romantic. Always getting on the Count's nerves, but a great favorite with everyone else. A charming nuisance.

MARCELLINA Nancy Downing - mezzo-soprano, in her fifties, Bartolo's old housekeeper and formerly Rosina's governess; hopes to marry Figaro, by means of an old contract whereby he promised to marry her if he couldn't repay the money she lent him. Once (briefly) a lover of Bartolo, when first in his service; had a son by him, who was lost.

DON BARTOLO Dennis Rupp - bass, at least 60, possibly eighties; medical doctor, former guardian and suitor of Rosina; bears a grudge against Figaro for his part in 'stealing' her from him and so is willing to further Marcellina's cause.

DON BASILIO Isai Jess Muñoz - tenor, late 40s or early 50s, singing teacher of Susanna, formerly of Rosina, the Count's constant secret messenger and spokesman to his many clandestine female friends over the years. Has recently been Susanna courting Susanna in the Count's name during her singing lessons.

DON CURZIO Isai Jess Muñoz - tenor, a judge called in by the Count to give the appearance of unbiased legitimacy to Marcellina's lawsuit against Figaro.

BARBARINA Erin Walker- soprano, 12, a peasant girl, Antonio's daughter, Susanna's cousin; hopes to marry Cherubino. Puts on a bold, cheeky face in company, but is really easily intimidated, anxious and tragically scarred by the oblivious Count's attentions. Hates him, but has no way of standing up to him.

ANTONIO Aaron Pagniano - bass, 30s or 40s, the gardener; Barbarina's father, Susanna's uncle. Mostly drunk; terse and shrewd when sober. Doesn't want Susanna to marry Figaro, as he is low-born and doesn't know even who his parents are.

Two young girls Chorus of Peasants

Michel Singher Conductor
Douglas Nagel Stage Director and Producer
Jill Port Costume Designer
Kristen Reid Makeup and Wig Designer
Alex Heyneman Lighting Designer
Sandi Rabas Pianist
Chris Sheppard Chorus Master

The Story

Rimrock Opera marks its 10th anniversary with Mozart 'sequel' to company's 1st production

Coming full circle with 'Figaro'

JACI WEBB Of The Gazette Staff | Posted: Thursday, September 18, 2008 11:00 pm
It is fitting that in celebration of its 10th season, Rimrock Opera Company will complete the story started in "The Barber of Seville," presented by ROC in its inaugural season, by performing "The Marriage of Figaro" this weekend.
Both operas are based on plays by Pierre Beaumarchais, but "The Barber of Seville" was written by Gioacchino Rossini and "Figaro" was penned by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

"The Marriage of Figaro," which will be sung in English, is considered some of Mozart's finest music. The territory that the story explores - the often contentious relationship between the classes - was controversial when it was written in the mid-1780s. That's why the original play by Beaumarchais was banned by French rulers and why Mozart's opera made the Austrian monarchy a bit nervous.
Beaumarchais' play and Mozart's opera illuminate the limitations of rank and privilege, showing that common sense can overcome wealth and power.

"The Barber of Seville" tells the story of a young nobleman who won his lover away from her lecherous guardian, Dr. Bartolo, but only with considerable help from his friend Figaro. As "The Marriage of Figaro" begins, three years have passed. The young lovers are now the Count and Countess Almaviva and Figaro is the Count's valet and engaged to marry the Countess' maid, Susanna.
The story is set in Spain and includes a double-wedding, the finding of a long-lost son and a hilarious plot to fool the Count.

Performances on Saturday night and Sunday afternoon at the Alberta Bair Theater will feature several familiar faces to local opera fans, including Skyview High School choir teacher Amy Logan in a leading role as Susanna. The title role is played by Robert Aaron Taylor, who was the show-stealing quack, Dr. Dulcamara, in Rimrock Opera's "Elixir of Love." Christopher Holmes returns to Rimrock Opera in the role of Figaro's arrogant master, Count Almaviva, with mezzo soprano Diedra Walker as the clever Countess.

Douglas Nagel, general director of ROC, takes pride in the fact that the Billings opera company is an organization that vocalists respect enough to return for shows. Dennis Rupp, who plays Dr. Bartolo, enjoyed performing with ROC and coming to Billings so much, he moved here.

During rehearsal last week in the former Ben Franklin store at West Park Plaza, Nagel led a run-through of Acts 3 and 4. Nagel champions the advancement of young vocalists. In "Figaro," some members of the chorus, including Kendra Hertz, have advanced to the level of performing in the adult chorus after years of performing with the Rimrock Opera Chorus for Kids (ROCK).

"Theater is about learning timing," Nagel told the chorus. "You should always give 100 percent."

Meghan Dibble, Nancy Downing, Dennis Rupp, Chris Sheppard and Isai Jess Munoz round out the cast. Making his Billings conducting debut, French-born Michel Singher, leads the Rimrock Opera Orchestra. Sheppard prepared the chorus and Sandi Rabas served as rehearsal pianist.

Sets, costuming enhance 'Figaro'

JACI WEBB Of The Gazette Staff | Posted: Friday, September 19, 2008 11:00 pm
Stunning sets, exquisite costumes and polished voices all lead to another top-notch production by the Rimrock Opera Company.

This weekend, the Billings-based ROC is finishing the story it began 10 years ago in Rossini's "Barber of Seville" with Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro." In those 10 years, Billings opera fans have seen ROC's staging of "Tosca," "Carmen" and "Madama Butterfly." We've also watched locals take on bigger and bigger roles. In "Figaro," Skyview High choir teacher Amy Logan is a highlight as the maid Susanna.
At a dress rehearsal Thursday at the Alberta Bair Theater, Logan's warm soprano voice lifted her role as the saucy maid to lofty heights. Twice Susanna punches her beloved Figaro, then cowers to a demure shuffle when she's around another suitor, her boss' husband, Count Almaviva. Logan handles each with ease.

"Figaro," directed by Douglas Nagel, pokes fun at the class-conscious European bourgeoisie. The more arrogant the aristocrats, the more fun it is to torment them with involved plots, fake notes and fabricated stories. Sharp wits triumph over wealth.

Christopher Holmes plays the man we love to hate, Count Almaviva. Is there any woman he doesn't covet? Holmes is a rubber-faced actor and a sure vocalist. His confidence on stage and conceited eye rolls are perfect.

Diedre Walker, who plays the count's long-suffering wife, is another head-turning vocalist who has risen through the ROC ranks. She began her experience with ROC as a vocalist in the outreach program "The Night Harry Stopped Smoking" in 2006.
It's great to see her again and hear her lovely voice.

Two more locals, Nancy Downing as Marcellina and Dennis Rupp as Don Bartolo, round out the cast as a quibbling couple putting the squeeze on Figaro for money.
Robert Aaron Taylor, who showed off his comedic side as Dr. Dulcamara in ROC's "The Elixir of Love," plays the gallant title character.

Although he's a foundling, Figaro proves he has more class than his boss, the Count. Taylor spices up the role with his rich baritone.

A couple of smaller roles provide the funniest moments in this production. Meghan Dibble plays the fickle soldier Cherubino, who keeps showing up in women's bedrooms. At one point, Cherubino dresses up as a woman to avoid getting caught by the Count.

To watch a woman playing a man pretending to be a woman is side-splitting. Dibble moves as well as she sings - with agility and cheek. And Isai Jess Munoz is hilarious as the rumor-mongering lawyer with his garish clothing, including 3-inch purple heels, his swiveling hips and rubbery lips.

Costume designer Jill Port is to be commended for stitching the elegant period outfits in this production, and conductor Michel Singher does an admirable job at keeping the pace lively with the challenging score.

CASEY RIFFE/Gazette Staff
Cast members of Rimrock Opera's Marriage of Figaro, clockwise from top left: Robert Aaron Taylor as "Figaro," Amy Logan as "Susanna," Diedra Walker as "Countess Almaviva," and Christopher Holmes as "Count Almaviva."

CASEY RIFFE/Gazette Staff
Diedra Walker plays Countess Almaviva while Christopher Holmes portrays Count Almaviva in Rimrock Opera's "The Marriage of Figaro."

CASEY RIFFE/Gazette Staff
Figaro, played by Robert Aaron Taylor, and Susanna, played by Amy Logan, share a tender moment and tender voices in Rimrock Opera Company's production of Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro."

CASEY RIFFE/Gazette Staff
Cast members Amy Logan as "Susanna," left, and Christopher Holmes as "Count Almaviva" from Rimrock Opera's Marriage of Figaro.