Returning with a stellar cast, it is both a great place to start for newcomers, and a favourite with Covent Garden regulars.
Baritone Simon Keenlyside sings Count Almaviva, the landowner with a wandering eye, who has tired of his Countess, and chases after her maid, Susanna. He also desires another servant, and expects to exercise his 'droit de siegneur' before her husband. Cue Figaro, the resourceful valet, who fixes everyone's problems, and some of his own.
Servants get the better of their master in The Marriage of Figaro. Photo: Mark Douet
The great German baritone Christian Gerhaher sings Figaro, with Hanna-Elisabeth Müller as his fiancée Susanna. Julia Kleiter is the deserted Countess, whose mournful aria Dové sono is one of the most loved in all opera.
All eyes and ears are on the singer who plays Cherubino, the sex-starved adolescent in this frenetic household. Traditionally sung by a woman, Cherubino on this occasion is sung by the amazing American-Korean counter-tenor Kangmin Justin Kim.
With music specialist John Eliot Gardiner conducting the Royal Opera Chorus and the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, this Figaro promises to go at a sprightly place and with the lightness of touch of Mozart's music.
Look out for Cherubino, hiding from his military call-up among the wedding celebrations. Photo: Mark Douet
David McVicar directs, with sumptuous designs by Tanya McCallin.
The Marriage of Figaro is sung in Italian with English surtitles. Performances are on 29 June; 1, 4, 6, 9, 12, 17 and 19 July. Booking opens at 9AM on Wednesday 3 April
| What | The Marriage of Figaro, Royal Opera House |
| Where | Royal Opera House, Bow Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 9DD | MAP |
| Nearest tube | Covent Garden (underground) |
| When |
29 Jun 19 – 21 Jul 19, nine performances, one interval. 6PM start 21 July |
| Price | £8-£185 |
| Website | Click here for more information and booking |
