+++
author = ["authors/melissa-ratcliff.md"]
categories = "Review"
date = "2024-04-12T00:00:00+01:00"
lastmod = "2024-04-12T00:00:00+01:00"
preamble = ""
primary_image = "https://res.cloudinary.com/schmopera/image/upload/v1712933711/sqPOV_The_Marriage_of_Figaro_0668.jpg"
primary_image_credit = "Sydney Baedke as Countess Almaviva in Pacific Opera Victoria's production of Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro, directed by Morris Panych and conducted by Timothy Vernon, with set design by Ken MacDonald and costumes by Nancy Bryant, 2024. Photo by David Cooper Photography."
postamble = ""
publishDate = "2024-04-12T00:00:00+01:00"
related_articles = ["articles/the-ensemble-from-heaven-sends-don-giovanni-to-hell.md", "articles/fantasy-is-for-the-birds.md"]
related_companies = ["scene/companies/pacific-opera-victoria.md"]
related_people = ["scene/people/peter-mcgillivray.md", "scene/people/sydney-baedke.md", "scene/people/megan-latham.md", "scene/people/cecile-muhire.md", "scene/people/tyler-duncan.md"]
short_description = "Their antics in act III were so funny that the music had to repeatedly pause because the audience was roaring with laughter."
slug = "fifties-futurism-figaro"
title = "Fifties Futurism Figaro"
+++
Completing [Pacific Opera Victoria](/scene/companies/pacific-opera-victoria/)'s 23-24 season is a mid-century-modern take on the classic _Marriage of Figaro_. Set in a riot of primary colour costumes, sets, and a 1950s futurist manor house, this version eschews some of the 18th-century tropes in favour of a more sparse stage. 

The long suffering couple of Figaro and Susanna, played by bass-baritone [Donovan Singletary](https://donovansingletary.com/) and soprano [Suzanne Rigden](https://www.suzannerigden.com/) respectively delivered solid performances, with moments of comedic brilliance that resonated well with the audience. Singletary's Figaro was very stoic, annoyed at the Count's constant pursuit of his bride-to-be, pairing with Rigden's nonchalant Susanna, who was more courteous and deferential to her employers, and genuinely worried about if her marriage will be able to take place. 

<figure data-type="image">{{% md %}}![](https://res.cloudinary.com/schmopera/image/upload/v1712933711/POV_The_Marriage_of_Figaro_0512.jpg){{% /md %}}

<figcaption>The cast of Pacific Opera Victoria's production of Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro, directed by Morris Panych and conducted by Timothy Vernon with set design by Ken MacDonald and costumes by Nancy Bryant, 2024. Photo by David Cooper Photography.</figcaption>
</figure>

Cherubino, played by soprano [Cécile Muhire](/scene/people/cecile-muhire/) was dressed in a banana yellow bellhop outfit, was comedy gold. From crawling around the floor to hide from the count, to the weird mannerisms in the "girl dressed as boy dressed as girl" moments in act III, Muhire was playful and funny throughout. 

<figure data-type="image">{{% md %}}![](https://res.cloudinary.com/schmopera/image/upload/v1712934277/POV_The_Marriage_of_Figaro_0216.jpg){{% /md %}}

<figcaption>Cécile Muhire as Cherubino and Donovan Singletary as Figaro in Pacific Opera Victoria's production of Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro, directed by Morris Panych, 2024. Photo by David Cooper Photography.</figcaption>
</figure>

At the center of the household is baritone [Tyler Duncan](/scene/people/tyler-duncan/) as Count Almaviva, and soprano [Sydney Baedke](/scene/people/sydney-baedke/) as the Countess. The pair were vocal powerhouses: Duncan's "Hai già vinta la causa" was phenomenal, with an air of menace and a beautiful warm voice that was as resonant as it was commanding. Baedke's "Dove sono" positively brought the house down. Vocally brilliant and commanding, her Countess despondent about her unfaithful husband and so sympathetic.

<figure data-type="image">{{% md %}}![](https://res.cloudinary.com/schmopera/image/upload/v1712933739/POV_The_Marriage_of_Figaro_0273.jpg){{% /md %}}

<figcaption>Sydney Baedke as Countess Almaviva in Pacific Opera Victoria's production of Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro, directed by Morris Panych, 2024. Photo by David Cooper Photography.</figcaption>
</figure>

The comedic due of Bartolo and Marcellina, played by [Peter McGillivray](/scene/people/peter-mcgillivray/) and [Megan Latham](/scene/people/megan-latham/) respectively, were hilarious throughout. Their antics in act III were so funny that the music had to repeatedly pause because the audience was roaring with laughter. 

Rounding out the comedy was bass-baritone Peter Monaghan as the drunken gardener, Antonio. Monaghan's characterization of the bumbling servant was outstanding, from stumbling around the set with a massive sack of potatoes, to drunkenly dancing along to the chorus at the wedding. 

<figure data-type="image">{{% md %}}![](https://res.cloudinary.com/schmopera/image/upload/v1712933711/POV_The_Marriage_of_Figaro_0639.jpg){{% /md %}}

<figcaption>Megan Latham (Marcellina), Peter McGillivray (Dr. Bartolo), Suzanne Rigden (Susanna) and Donovan Singletary (Figaro) in Pacific Opera Victoria's production of Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro, directed by Morris Panych and conducted by Timothy Vernon, with set design by Ken MacDonald and costumes by Nancy Bryant, 2024. Photo by David Cooper Photography.</figcaption>
</figure>

The set itself was comprised of several massive, abstract set pieces that were moved into different configurations to portray the various settings in the story. The pieces took up most of the stage space, leaving little room for the performers to move around. Despite that, the directorial decisions had many of the performers in static positions for long periods of time. With few props or furniture to interact with, and very little traffic on stage, it made many scenes feel much longer than necessary. 

Figaro can be a challenging opera to sing - many roles are left very low in tessitura requiring a fair bit of strength in the middle range to be heard throughout. Unfortunately the balance was not always ideal in this production, with some singers being difficult to hear at times over the orchestra. 

<figure data-type="image">{{% md %}}![](https://res.cloudinary.com/schmopera/image/upload/v1712933711/POV_The_Marriage_of_Figaro_0358.jpg){{% /md %}}

<figcaption>Suzanne Rigden as Susanna, Tyler Dungan as Count Almaviva, and Sydney Baedke as Countess Almaviva in Pacific Opera Victoria's production of Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro, 2024. Photo by David Cooper Photography.</figcaption>
</figure>

All in all, a fun, colourful production with great comedic moments, and singing to bring the house down.