The following is a submission from Santa Monica College. Photo: Applied Music student Emily Gomez plays ‘Barbarina’ in the SMC Opera Theatre and the SMC Symphony Orchestra production of Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro (Le nozze di Figaro). Photo by Martin Cohen, who plays ‘Antonio’ in The Marriage of Figaro
The Santa Monica College (SMC) Music Department is pleased to present the SMC Opera Theatre and the SMC Symphony Orchestra in a fully staged production of The Marriage of Figaro (Le nozze di Figaro) by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
Performances will be held on Friday, May 23, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, May 24, at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, May 25, at 3 p.m. in The Eli & Edythe Broad Stage at the SMC Performing Arts Center, 1310 11th Street (at Santa Monica Boulevard), Santa Monica.
The Marriage of Figaro tells the story of servants Figaro and Susanna, who join forces with the Countess to get her philandering count to stop making passes at Susanna and re-experience the beauty of his own wife. Known for its witty dialogue, beautiful music, and exploration of social dynamics between classes, The Marriage of Figaro is a treasured favorite in the world of opera.
The opera will be performed in Italian with English supertitles. SMC Opera Theatre is under the direction of Janelle DeStefano and Mercedes Juan Musotto, with Musical Coach Sky Lee and Costume Designer Marianne Parker.
“Le nozze di Figaro came at an extraordinary moment in history,” said DeStefano. “The premiere in 1786 is just after the American Revolution and three years before the French Revolution. Based on a play of the same name by Pierre Beaumarchais, the opera highlights the intelligence and wit of servants, while portraying a Count in a less than noble way. Both the play and the opera had to fight years of censorship, but were enormous hits at the box office, even with the aristocracy. It was a time of great change, when audiences were ready for a new look at society. The extra surprise that came with Mozart’s opera was its incredibly delightful and masterful score. The Marriage of Figaro is considered one of opera’s Top 10 for a reason!”
Tickets are $25 general admission (plus a modest service charge), $10 for students and staff. Advance tickets can be purchased online at smc.edu/tickets or by calling 310-434-3005 (Monday-Friday; limited hours). Tickets may also be purchased — starting 45 minutes before the performance begins — at The Broad Stage Box Office at the SMC Performing Arts Center. Free parking on premises. Seating is strictly on a first-arrival basis.
More information is available by calling 310-434-4323. All performances subject to change or cancellation without notice.
