Witty, warm masterpiece is a winter tonic
The Marriage Of Figaro (English Touring Opera) Verdict: Delightful — catch it if you can
THIS trim, stylish new production of Mozart’s comedy of thwarted seduction is just the tonic for our Siberian weather.
Sung in Jeremy Sams’s witty English translation, the excellent cast is headed by Ross Ramgobin’s unusually athletic Figaro (below left) — it is the first time I have seen him do press-ups while singing his aria about what life in the Army will be like for Cherubino. His Susanna is the delectable soprano Rachel Redmond, and the randy page Cherubino is nicely sung by Scottish mezzo Katherine Aitken (below).
Their employers are soprano Nadine Benjamin, who brings out all the poignancy and comedy in the Countess’s character, and South African baritone Dawid Kimberg, a suitably tall, sonorous and haughty Count. The splendid supporting singers include John-Colyn Gyeantey’s scheming Basilio and his fellow plotters Gaynor Keeble (Marcellina) and Omar Ebrahim (Dr Bartolo). Surtitles are provided, though the singers’ diction is pretty clear.
Blanche McIntyre’s production is bubbly and inventive, while keeping to what Mozart asks for, and Neil Irish’s designs are both clever (simple sets) and true to period (gorgeous costumes).
Newcomers could hardly have a better introduction to one of the masterpieces of opera.