Interludes

THE HANGOVER REPORT – The Met’s run of LE NOZZE DI FIGARO closes with an ideal cast

• By drediman
• January 20, 2018
• No Comments

Ildar Abdrazakov as Figaro and Nadine Sierra as Susanna in “Le Nozze di Figaro” at the Metropolitan Opera.

Last night, I caught this season’s closing performance of the Metropolitan Opera’s production of Le Nozze di Figaro. When done right, Mozart’s deservedly much-loved opera can be a transcendent experience, both musically and dramatically. Indeed, Mozart’s score is practically perfect and Da Ponte’s libretto – itself an adaptation of a classic French farce – is supremely human.

Sir Richard Eyre’s production, new in 2014, updates the opera to 1930s Seville. Although Mr. Eyre’s staging is elegant and fluid, it doesn’t solve the inherent problem of telegraphing the necessary intimacy of the opera in such a mammoth auditorium. Even from where I was sitting, halfway down the main floor’s center section (typically an ideal vantage point), I had a difficult time immersing myself in the characters’ relationship-driven woes.

Nevertheless, last night’s cast was attractive and very capable. Mozart’s opera is, at its core, an ensemble piece, and I’m happy to report that last night’s bunch was well-balanced, with each player getting the opportunity to shine beautifully (they were also ideally paired). Most notable the were good-humored bass Ildar Abdrazakov (Figaro); sparkling soprano Nadine Sierra (Susanna), who recently won the Richard Tucker Award; warm-voiced soprano Caitlin Lynch (Countess Almaviva); and the winning mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard (Cherubino). Unfortunately, handsome, sturdy baritone Mariusz Kwiecien as Count Almaviva was ailing last night and had to bow out for the second half of the performance.

As always, the great Met orchestra sounded excellent, giving a spirited account of Mozart’s score under the baton of Harry Bicket.

RECOMMENDED

LE NOZZE DI FIGARO
Opera
The Metropolitan Opera
3 hours, 30 minutes (with one intermission)
Closed