Figaro!
Figaro! is a delightful blend of theatre and opera, based on The Marriage of Figaro (W.A. Mozart) and The Marriage of Figaro (Beaumarchais). On stage, a mischievous Beaumarchais pulls the strings of the play, whose most powerful passages are performed and sung by five singers. Our adaptation uses the original lines from Beaumarchais’ play. The arias are sung in Italian, in keeping with Mozart’s opera, and retain all their emotion and grandeur.
Our production offers an original immersion into the worlds of Beaumarchais and Mozart, with a plot presented by an inspired Beaumarchais. The aim is to enable a wide audience—whether familiar with theatre and opera or not—to (re)discover these works and their enduring relevance.
Figaro! has already been performed seven times in Ixelles (Espace Lumen), Watermael-Boitsfort (Espace Delvaux), Namur (Le Delta) and Liège (Théâtre du Trianon).
A great public success
The first performances of Figaro! were a great public success, with particularly enthusiastic feedback from the more than 1,800 people who have attended the show so far.
“An excellent performance that completely modernizes the genre, thanks to the spoken texts in French, which make the opera more accessible and enjoyable to watch.” (full review)
“Magnificent performance!! They made us laugh, cry, dream… Bravo to the artists!!” (full review)
“I was impressed by the professionalism. The vocal quality and the acting of the performers convey pure and sincere emotions. I highly recommend it!!” (full review)
Read the many other collected reviews here!
Enthusiastic reviews
“Behind the dramatic tension lies a waltz of mischievous communication games, worthy of the Commedia dell’arte, and one genuinely has a great time. The production is directed by Alexis Goslain.”
“Thanks to his empathetic and warm presence, David Miller, the pianist and full accomplice in the venture, conjures up an entire orchestra from his single keyboard. Hats off to this unflappable master of music!”
“The ear will remember the magnificent phrasing and the powerful, deep voice of Mr Damien Vliegen as the ever-present Count Almaviva.”
“A toast is raised to social criticism, thwarted love affairs and the explosive verve of Beaumarchais himself. He is summoned in person to serve as narrator of this version, halfway between Mozart and the heirs of Molière. Stéphane Stubbé, sparkling as the perfect master of ceremonies, addresses an audience delighted to savour his countless playful flourishes.”
“We meet Susanna again, the excellent Gianna Cañete Gallo, quick as lightning; Arnaud Lion as Figaro, sly as a fox; Damien Vliegen as Count Almaviva, as noble as he is exasperating in his many escapades; Countess Catherine Maufroy, all wounded grace; and Julie Prayez as the adorable Cherubino, a teenager in a permanent hormonal crisis yet wholly devoted to love. Each performer embodies their role with infectious enthusiasm. Sung and spoken lines intertwine in joyful verbal acrobatics. The audience’s laughter is ever-present, sometimes even accompanied by tears of deep emotion! Such are the voices that charm and enchant!”
“Talent was required. And they have it — in cartloads. Figaro! is a resounding success, a declaration of love for opera that does not take itself too seriously, yet is crafted with undeniable seriousness and precision. One leaves with a joyful heart, enchanted ears and a smile in one’s eyes. What’s next?”
Article by Dominique-Hélène Lemaire.
An Officially Recognised Production
Figaro! is officially recognised by the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles (FWB) and is therefore eligible for public dissemination subsidies.
View it in the TARA catalogue here!
Documentation
For more information:
Contact
Damien Vliegen (Producer)
+32 (0)496 67 36 98