Le Nozze di Figaro Is the Feb. 22, 2020, Met Opera Saturday Matinee Broadcast

Summary: Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro is the Feb. 22, 2020, Met Opera Saturday matinee broadcast, airing as 12th in the season’s 23 radio matinees.

In the 2019-2020 Met Opera season, Nadine Sierra reprises her role debut as Met Opera’s spunky Susanna from the 2017-2018 Met Opera season: Metropolitan Opera @MetOpera, via Facebook June 25, 2019

Wolfgang Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro is the Feb. 22, 2020, Met Opera Saturday matinee broadcast, airing at 1 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) and numbering as the 12th of the season’s 23 radio matinees.

Eighteenth century Classical Era composer Wolfgang Mozart (Jan. 27, 1756-Dec. 5, 1791) set his musical score for Le Nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro) to an Italian libretto by Italian-born, naturalized American opera librettist, poet and priest Lorenzo da Ponte (March 10, 1749-Aug. 17, 1838). Da Ponte’s birth name, Emanuele Conegliano, was changed to the name of the Bishop of Ceneda, Lorenzo da Ponte, who baptized Emanuele as a Roman Catholic on June 29, 1763.

The libretto’s literary source was La folle journée, ou le Mariage de Figaro ("The Mad Day, or The Marriage of Figaro"), a five-act comedy by French polymath Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais (Jan. 24, 1732-May 18, 1799). The play’s official premiere took place April 27, 1784, at Théâtre Français in the sixth Parisian arrondissement (6e arrondissement de Paris), on the Seine’s left bank (la rive gauche de la Seine). Marie-Antoinette d’Autriche (Nov. 2, 1755-Oct. 16, 1793), Reine des Français (Sept. 4, 1791-Aug. 10, 1792), inaugurated Théâtre Français on April 9, 1782.

Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro premiered May 1, 1786, at eastern Austria’s Burgtheater in Vienna. Mozart directed the opera’s first two performances.

Le Nozze di Figaro received its Metropolitan Opera premiere on Jan. 31, 1894. The opera received seven performances during the 1893-1894 season.

The 2019-2020 Met Opera season features two casts over 15 performances of Mozart’s comedy of manners. The first cast’s nine performances are scheduled for November and December 2019. The second cast’s six performances are slated for February 2020.

The first cast’s first performance opened Saturday, Nov. 16, at 1 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST). The month’s four additional performances took place Wednesday, Nov. 20, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 23, at 8 p.m.; Tuesday, Nov. 26, at 7:30 p.m.; and Saturday, Nov. 30, at 1 p.m. December’s four performances happened Tuesday, Dec. 3, at 7:30 p.m.; Wednesday, Dec. 11, at 7:30 p.m.; and Saturday, Dec. 14, at 8 p.m.

The second cast’s performances began Wednesday, Feb. 5, at 7:30 p.m. The month’s next three performances happened Saturday, Feb. 8, at 8 p.m.; Tuesday, Feb. 11, at 7:30 p.m.; and Valentine’s Day, Tuesday, Feb. 14, at 8 p.m. The month’s last two performances are scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 19, at 7:30 p.m. and the Saturday matinee broadcast, Feb. 22, at 1 p.m. The Saturday broadcast closes the opera’s run in the 2019-2020 Met Opera season.

The four-act opera has an estimated run time of 3 hours 26 minutes. Acts I and II are estimated at 98 minutes. An intermission of 31 minutes follows. Acts III and IV span 77 minutes.

Antonello Manacorda appears in November and December as the first cast’s conductor. The Italian violinist and conductor’s appearance in the first cast’s first performance Saturday, Nov. 16, marked his Metropolitan Opera debut.

Cornelius Meister appears in February as the second cast’s conductor. The German conductor and pianist made his Metropolitan Opera debut Jan. 30, 2019, in the opera company’s 565th performance of Mozart’s Don Giovanni.

Susanna Phillips is the first cast’s clever Countess Almaviva. The American lyric soprano made her Metropolitan Opera debut Dec. 15, 2008, as Musetta in the opera company’s 1,201st performance of La Bohème by Italian opera composer Giacomo Puccini (Dec. 22, 1858-Nov. 29, 1924). In the 2019-2020 Met Opera season, Susanna Phillips reprises her debut role as Musetta in Puccini’s La Bohème and also performs the title role in Káťa Kabanová by Czech composer Leoš Janáček (July 3, 1854-Aug. 12, 1928).

Anita Hartig appears as the first cast’s Countess Almaviva. The Romanian operatic soprano made her Metropolitan Opera debut March 19, 2014, as Mimì in the opera company’s 1,251st performance of Puccini’s La Bohème.

Nadine Sierra is the first cast’s Susanna, Countess Almaviva’s mischievous maid and crafty co-conspirator in fidelity lessons and smooth weddings. The American soprano reprises her role debut as Met Opera’s Susanna from the 2017-2018 Met Opera season. Nadine Sierra made her Metropolitan Opera debut Dec. 2, 2015, as Gilda in the opera company’s 874th performance of Rigoletto by 19th-century Italian opera composer Giuseppe Verdi (Oct. 10, 1813-Jan. 27, 1901).

Hanna-Elisabeth Müller appears as the second cast’s Susanna. The German soprano made her Metropolitan Opera debut March 16, 2017, as Marzelline in the opera company’s 231st performance of Fidelio by Classical-Romantic composer Ludwig von Beethoven (baptism Dec. 17, 1770-March 26, 1827).

Gaëlle Arquez appears in the first cast’s trouser role of Cherubino, amorous page of philandering Count Almaviva. The French mezzo-soprano’s appearance in the first cast’s first performance Saturday, Nov. 16, marked her Metropolitan Opera debut.

Marianne Crebassa is the second cast’s Cherubino. The French mezzo-soprano’s appearance in the second cast’s first performance Wednesday, Feb. 5, marked his Metropolitan Opera debut.

Elizabeth Bishop appears as the first cast’s Marcellina, who learns that she is Figaro’s mother. The American mezzo-soprano made her Met Opera first appearance, performing the Composer’s aria from Ariadne auf Naxos by German composer Richard Strauss (June 11, 1864-Sept. 8, 1949) and Dorabella’s Act I aria from Mozart’s Così fan tutte, in the National Council Winners Concert at the opera house April 5, 1993. She made her Metropolitan Opera debut Feb. 7, 1994, as the Venetian in the opera company’s 10th performance of Death in Venice by English composer, conductor and pianist by Edward Benjamin Britten, Baron Britten (Nov. 22, 1913-Dec. 4, 1976).

MaryAnn McCormick appears as the second cast’s Marcellina. The American mezzo-soprano made her Metropolitan Opera debut Dec. 19, 1991, in an ensemble role as a Woman with Baby in the opera company’s world premiere of The Ghosts of Versailles by American classical composer John Corigliano (born Feb. 16, 1938). During the 2019-2020 Met Opera season, MaryAnn McCormick also performs as Suzuki in Puccini’s Madama Butterfly.

Adam Plachetka appears as the first cast’s Count Almaviva, who learns his lesson in fidelity. The Czech bass-baritone made his Metropolitan Opera debut Feb. 4, 2015, as Masetto in the Metropolitan Opera’s 539rd performance of Mozart’s Don Giovanni.

Mariusz Kwiecień appears in three performances (Friday, Feb. 14; Wednesday, Feb. 19; Saturday matinee broadcast, Feb. 22) as the second cast’s Count Almaviva. He reprises his role debut as Met Opera’s Count Almaviva from the 2014-2015 season. His revisit of the role in the 2017-2018 Met Opera season placed him opposite Nadine Sierra’s Susanna. The Polish operatic baritone made his Metropolitan Opera debut Jan. 2, 1999, as Kuligin in the opera company’s ninth performance of Káťa Kabanová by Czech composer Leoš Janáček (July 3, 1854-Aug. 12, 1928).

Mariusz Kwiecień was originally scheduled for all six of the second cast's performances. The Metropolitan Opera announced via Twitter Nov. 6, 2019, that Etienne Dupuis will sing Count Almaviva for the first three (Wednesday, Feb. 5; Saturday, Feb. 8; Tuesday, Feb. 11) of the second cast's six performances. The French-Canadian baritone made his Metropolitan Opera debut Sept. 25, 2018, as Marcello in the opera company’s 1,321st performance of Puccini’s La Bohème. In the 2019-2020 Met Opera season, Etienne Dupuis also appears as Albert in Werther by French Romantic Era composer Jules Massenet (May 12, 1842-Aug. 13, 1912).

Luca Pisaroni appears as the first cast’s Figaro, whose confusing wedding day ends happily, with Susanna, his bride-to-be, and with Marcellina, newly revealed as his mother. The Italian operatic bass-baritone made his Metropolitan Opera debut April 29, 2005, as Publio in the opera company’s 31st performance of Mozart’s La Clemenza di Tito. In the 2019-2020 Met Opera season, Luca Pisaroni also performs as Guglielmo in Mozart’s Così fan tutte.

After Adam Plachetka’s first cast role of Count Almavivia, he joins the second cast in the title role as Figaro. He reprises his role debut as Met Opera’s Figaro from the 2017-2018 Met Opera season.

Brindley Sherratt appears as the first cast’s Dr. Bartolo, whose vengeful scheme to thwart Figaro’s wedding backfires. The Lancastrian British bass made his Metropolitan Opera debut Friday, May 1, 2015, as Trulove in the opera company’s 24th performance of The Rake’s Progress by Russian-born, 20th-century composer, conductor and pianist Igor Fyodorovich Stravinsky (June 17, 1882-April 6, 1971). During the 2019-2020 Met Opera season, Brindley Sherratt also performs as Geronte di Ravoir in Puccini’s Manon Lescaut.

Maurizio Muraro reprises his Met Opera debut role for the second cast’s Dr. Bartolo. The Italian operatic bass-baritone made his Metropolitan Opera debut Monday, Nov. 2, 2005, as Dr. Bartolo in the opera company’s 419th performance of Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro. In the 2019-2020 Met Opera season, Maurizio Muraro also performs as Don Magnifico in La Cenerentola by 19th-century Italian composer Gioachino Rossini (Feb. 29, 1792-Nov. 13, 1868).

The 2019-2020 Met Opera season’s presentation of Le Nozze di Figaro marks the opera house’s third revival of staging by Sir Richard Eyre. The English film, opera, television and theatre director’s staging debuted as a new production Monday, Sep. 22, 2014, in the opera company’s 130th performance of the mischievous opera. The production’s first and second revivals took place in the 2015-2016 and 2017-2018 seasons.

Sir Richard’s production team comprises set and costume designer Rob Howell and lighting designer Paule Constable. Sara Erde is the production’s choreographer.

The takeaway for Le Nozze di Figaro as the Feb. 22, 2020, Met Opera Saturday matinee broadcast is that Mozart’s comedy of love and infidelity airs at 1 p.m. Eastern Standard Time as the 12th of 23 weekly radio broadcasts.

In the 2019-2020 Met Opera season, Nadine Sierra reprises her role debut as the 2017-2018 Met Opera’s Susanna and Mariusz Kwiecien reprises his 2014-2015 and 2017-2018 seasons' role as Count Almaviva: Nadine Sierra @Nadine Sierra, via Facebook Jan. 15, 2018

Acknowledgment

My special thanks to talented artists and photographers/concerned organizations who make their fine images available on the internet.

Image credits:

In the 2019-2020 Met Opera season, Nadine Sierra reprises her role debut as Met Opera’s spunky Susanna from the 2017-2018 Met Opera season: Metropolitan Opera @MetOpera, via Facebook June 25, 2019, @ https://www.facebook.com/MetOpera/posts/10162089559830533

In the 2019-2020 Met Opera season, Nadine Sierra reprises her role debut as the 2017-2018 Met Opera’s Susanna and Mariusz Kwiecien reprises his 2014-2015 and 2017-2018 seasons' role as Count Almaviva: Nadine Sierra @Nadine Sierra, via Facebook Jan. 15, 2018, @ https://www.facebook.com/NadineSierra/photos/a.10152014830661118/10156084142566118/

For further information:

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Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=356999

“Debuts: Katarina Karnéus, Mariusz Kwiecien, Catherine Cook.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 331285 Kát'a Kabanová {9} Metropolitan Opera House: 01/2/1999.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=331285

“Debuts: Mark Wigglesworth, Maurizio Muraro, Joyce DiDonato . . .” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 351338 Le Nozze di Figaro {419} Metropolitan Opera House: 11/02/2005.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=351338

“Debuts: Nadine Sierra, Dimitry Ivashchenko.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 356159 Rigoletto {874} Metropolitan Opera House: 12/02/2015.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=356159

“Debuts: Sarah Connolly, Luca Pisaroni.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 351250 La Clemenza di Tito {31} Metropolitan Opera House: 04/29/2005.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=351250

“Debuts: Stella Zambalis . . . Mary Ann McCormick . . .” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 306860 The Ghosts of Versailles {1} Metropolitan Opera House: 12/19/1991.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=306860

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Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=350690

Marriner, Derdriu. “2019-2020 Met Opera Season’s 10th Week Has Glass, Mozart, Puccini, Tchaikovsky.” Earth and Space News. Monday, Nov. 18, 2019.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2019/11/2019-2020-met-opera-seasons-10th-week.html

Marriner, Derdriu. “2019-2020 Met Opera Season’s 11th Week Has Glass, Mozart and Tchaikovsky.” Earth and Space News. Monday, Nov. 25, 2019.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2019/11/2019-2020-met-opera-seasons-11th-week.html

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Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2019/11/2019-2020-met-opera-seasons-eighth-week.html

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Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2019/12/verdis-macbeth-is-dec-21-2019-met-opera.html

Metropolitan Opera @MetOpera. "Etienne Dupuis will sing the Count in the February 5, 8, and 11 performances of Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro, replacing Mariusz Kwiecień. #CastChange." Facebook. Nov. 6, 2019.
Available @ https://twitter.com/MetOpera/status/1192194502649401346

Metropolitan Opera @MetOpera. “Reprising her critically acclaimed role debut as the crafty maid Susanna, soprano Nadine Sierra returns during the 2019–20 season in Le Nozze di Figaro. Mozart's charming comedy takes the stage Nov 16–Feb 22, featuring two brilliant ensemble casts. Tickets on sale now: bit.ly/2FpLUn2 Photo by Chris Lee / Met Opera.” Facebook. June 25, 2019.
Available @ https://www.facebook.com/MetOpera/posts/10162089559830533

Metropolitan Opera @MetOpera. “Set designer John Macfarlane making some adjustments to the altar of Sant'Andrea della Valle from the new production of Tosca. bit.ly/2oZSbym Photo by Jonathan Tichler/Metropolitan Opera.” Facebook. Aug. 15, 2017.
Available @ https://www.facebook.com/MetOpera/photos/pcb.10159305988975533/10159305983285533/

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Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=12140

Nadine Sierra @Nadine Sierra. “Thank you all for coming to Saturday's performance of 'Le nozze di Figaro' at the The Metropolitan Opera ! We all had a wonderful time performing for you! I always love seeing your posts when you attend a show, or are watching online! I was especially touched by this beautiful drawing that my friend Tug Rice felt inspired to make afterward! He is an up and coming artist living in New York City, and captured our final bows. (I am in red with the black belt!) Go check him out: www.tugrice.com.” Facebook. Jan. 15, 2018.
Available @ https://www.facebook.com/NadineSierra/photos/a.10152014830661118/10156084142566118/

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