Joe Hill-Gibbins’ production will run in London from the 5th to the 22nd February.
This February, the English National Opera will present the first revival of of Joe Hill-Gibbins’ production of Mozart’s comic opera. The production makes a long awaited return to the London Coliseum after having opened for one performance in March 2020 before the pandemic shut all theatres.
The Marriage of Figaro is a comedic story set in a single crazy day – the wedding day of Figaro and Susanna. A whirlwind of mistaken identities, deception and general mayhem, the couple try to elude their employer – a philandering and promiscuous Count – teaching him a lesson in fidelity he’ll never forget.
This revival of the opera will be conducted by Ainārs Rubiķis, who will be making his ENO debut. Rubiķis has gained an international reputation across a wide range of repertoire and is an award-winning conductor. From the 2025/26 Season, he will be the General Music Director at Staatstheatre Kassel and Chief Conductor of Tiroler Symphonieorchester Innsbruck. Tess Jackson conducts on Wednesday 12 February.
Originally based on ‘La folle journée, ou le Mariage de Figaro’, preceded by ‘Il barbiere di Siviglia’, both by Pierre Beaumarchais, this opera is a sequel of The Barber of Seville, composed by Gioachino Rossini.
In the title role is David Ireland. He is stepping back into Figaro’s shoes having recently sung the role at Garsington Opera. He will be joined by former Harewood Artist and British soprano Mary Bevan performing the role of Susanna. Bevan is an award-winning performer internationally renowned for her performances across Baroque, classical and contemporary repertoire.
Meanwhile, Dr Bartolo will be performed by Welsh bass-baritone Neal Davies. He returns to ENO having recently performed in The Yeomen of the Guard (2022) as Sergeant Meryll of the Yeomen, and as Don Alfonso in Mozart’s Così fan tutte (2022).
Reprising her role from March 2020, Polish mezzo-soprano Hanna Hipp performs the role of Cherubino. Hanna is a Royal Opera House Jette Parker alumni and has performed across Europe. She returns to the London Coliseum stage after previously performing in Mozart’s Così fan tutte (2022) as Dorabella.
Ireland-based Australian tenor Hubert Francis, an alumni of the Royal Opera House’s Young Artist Programme, performs the roles of Don Basilio/Don Curzio. Former Harewood Artist and British soprano Nardus Williams as Countess Almaviva. Performing alongside her as Count Almaviva, American baritone Cody Quattlebaum makes his house debut.
Completing the cast is Canadian bass Trevor Eliot Bowes performing as Antonio, and Harewood Artist and Irish soprano Ava Dodd performing as Barbarina.
The creative team behind the production includes: Johannes Schütz is the Set Designer, Astrid Klein is the Costume Designer, Matthew Richardson is the Lighting Designer, Jenny Ogilvie is the Associate Director and Movement Director, and the translation is by Jeremy Sams.
To book tickets visit: https://www.eno.org/whats-on/the-marriage-of-figaro/