Masters and servants

A man using his position in society to satisfy his lustful urges is an age-honoured tradition, which has only really been challenged in the past few decades. Before sexual harassment became a punishable offence, a woman had to rely on her own cunning to escape the unwanted amorous advances of a male superior.

In Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro, Opera Queensland’s finale for season 2005, a chambermaid and her betrothed put their heads together to foil their boss’s desire to bed her. The result is a riotous romp involving more twists and turns than a rollercoaster at Dreamworld.

Susanna the chambermaid (Tiffany Speight) wants to marry fellow servant Figaro (Andrew Collis). Unfortunately, they need the consent of their master, Count Almaviva (Michael Lewis) before they can marry. The Count, however, has his greedy eyes set on Susanna, and is not about to give her up easily. He is determined he will either prevent them from marrying or, if all else fails, enforce his feudal right to sleep with her on her wedding night.

He has not contended with the intelligence and audacity of Figaro, who sings ‘If you, the master, wish to dance, then I, the servant, shall play the tune’. And dance the Count does. Joining him on the dance floor are, among others, an angry Countess, a love struck teenager, an old maid, a drunken gardener and a scheming music master, each pursuing their own agenda.

Long regarded as a cornerstone of the operatic repertoire, The Marriage of Figaro (based on the satirical play of the same era by Beaumarchais) is one of the masterpieces of the opera buffa (comic opera) genre. Although its main aim is to amuse and entertain, it also emphasises the noble notions of love, fidelity and forgiveness, not to mention the naughty idea of a servant getting the better of his master.

The accomplished cast of this production are exceptional. Of particular note are the syrupy mezzo soprano, Caitlin Hulcup, who plays the love struck teenager Cherubino and Leanne Kenneally, who is lovely as the spurned Countess. Director Neil Armfield, who first directed this production as a play, has injected modern humour into this classic piece, making it fresh and exciting. The set design is absolutely fabulous and the juxtaposition of modern props adds to the fun atmosphere.

If you can hold on long enough to enjoy the ride, you’ll thoroughly enjoy The Marriage of Figaro!

Linden George

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The Marriage of Figaro

Company: Opera Queensland
Venue: Lyric Theatre, QPAC
Dates: to October 22, 2005