Pranks and pitfalls, soaring arias and a sparkling score set in the roaring '20s. A frisky count, his neglected wife, the object of his desire and her cunning fiancé – plus a cadre of feverish characters creating and navigating chaos. You’ll find all this and more in Pacific Opera’s exhilarating production of Mozart’s famous comedic opera, The Marriage of Figaro.
With the internationally acclaimed Australian baritone Peter Coleman-Wright as guest artistic director, Pacific Opera is teaming up with Willoughby Symphony Orchestra for its first “pocket-sized opera”. If you’ve ever been intimidated by the three-hour-plus runtime of many of opera’s classics, this is the show for you. The team are reinvigorating opera for today’s audiences by editing Mozart’s epic into a one-hour bite-sized performance, perfect for first-time opera-goers.
“It is the ultimate art form encompassing great singing and music, drama and dancing, and arresting visuals,” says Coleman-Wright. The Helpmann Award-winner insists the pared-back performances will convey the vocal and emotional power essence of the original opera, while showcasing emerging local opera talents.
By transporting the drama of The Marriage of Figaro to the 1920s, Pacific Opera promises to explore a strong sense of social divide and conflict, a la Downtown Abbey. Catch us catching the action with raised pinkies in our best wealthy dowager couture!
The Pocket Opera is part of the Chatswood Cultural Program, an initiative of Willoughby City Council. There are two shows only on Saturday, March 27 at 2pm and 7pm at The Concourse, Chatswood. Tickets are $54, with special $25 youth tickets for 16-26 year-olds. Get yours here.