Le nozze di Figaro had its premiere in 1786 at the Burgtheater in Vienna. Lorenzo Da Ponte with whom Mozart later collaborated on Don Giovanni and Così fan tutte created the libretto. It was based on Pierre Beaumarchais’ controversial play Le Mariage de Figaro, which was banned in Vienna due to its seditious content.
David McVicar’s acclaimed production sets the action in a French chateau in 1830 on the eve of revolution, amplifying the opera’s undercurrents of class tension. The entire household is drawn into the notoriously complex plot, which covers all shades of human emotion: spirited playfulness, such as when Figaro sends Cherubino off to war in ‘Non so più cosa son’, is combined with heartfelt despair, such as the Countess’s grief at her husband’s infidelity. But affection and fidelity prevail in this most warm-hearted of operas: the Count’s plea for forgiveness in the final act, ‘Condessa, perdono’, is one of the most moving arias in opera.
Bus routes: (Aldwych) RV1, 6, 11, 13, 23, 59, 68, 87, 171, 172, 188, X68
Night buses: (Aldwych) 6, 23, 188, N11, N13, N26, N47, N68, N87, N89, N155, N171, N551
Nearest rail: Charing Cross
Tube lines: Piccadilly
Nearest tube: Covent Garden
Directions from Covent Garden :
(3 mins) The Royal Opera House is off Covent Garden piazza, which is visible from the tube station exit. There is a revolving door entrance at the piazza.
Car park: Drury Lane, Parker Street (7mins)
In congestion zone?: Yes
Air conditioned
Bar
Disabled toilets
Infrared hearing loop
Toilets
Wheelchair accessible
Please note: The location shown on the map is an approximate location of the theatre. In the majority of cases the theatre will be marked on the map so please make sure you locate the exact location yourself. If the theatre is not shown on the map please make sure you locate the correct road name and take account of the directions.
Le Nozze di Figaro
Royal Opera House, London
Running time: 3 hours 25 minutes
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