The Marriage

of Figaro

Set in 18th-century Spain, The Marriage of Figaro follows one frantic day in the household of Count Almaviva. Figaro, the Count’s valet, is preparing to marry Susanna, the Countess’s maid. However, trouble arises when Figaro discovers that the Count is attempting to seduce Susanna. Outraged, Figaro vows to thwart the Count’s plans and secure his marriage. Susanna, clever and quick-witted, becomes an equal partner in the scheme, exposing the Count’s hypocrisy while navigating her own challenges in the palace.

Meanwhile, the Countess Almaviva suffers quietly, aware of her husband’s infidelities but unsure how to regain his affection. She joins forces with Susanna to teach the Count a lesson, hatching a plan to trap him in his own deceit. They agree to switch places for a nighttime rendezvous: Susanna will dress as the Countess to lure the Count, while the Countess, in Susanna’s clothes, will witness his betrayal firsthand. As the evening unfolds, disguises, mistaken identities, and overheard conversations build toward chaos and comic confusion.

Adding to the frenzy are several colorful characters. Cherubino, a lovesick teenage page, flits from woman to woman while trying to escape punishment from the Count. Marcellina, once an obstacle to Figaro’s marriage, is revealed to be his long-lost mother, and the scheming Dr. Bartolo turns out to be his father. Even the gardener Antonio, Susanna’s jealous cousin, gets swept up in the madness. Amid the spiraling misunderstandings, love notes go astray, doors are slammed, and secrets are nearly exposed—until the moonlit garden scene where all truths are revealed.

In the end, the Count is caught red-handed and the Countess gives forgiveness, which she offers with grace and dignity. Figaro and Susanna are finally wed, and harmony is restored—at least for now. Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro combines comedy, romance, and social commentary into one of opera’s most beloved masterpieces, offering a timeless reflection on love, power, and redemption.

FIGARO

Witty, resourceful, and always one step ahead, Figaro is the mastermind behind much of the opera’s chaos and comedy. As Count Almaviva’s valet, he knows the ins and outs of the household—and isn’t afraid to challenge the power dynamics within it. Determined to marry Susanna and protect her from the Count’s advances, Figaro uses his sharp tongue and quick thinking to outmaneuver his aristocratic employer.

COUNT ALMAVIVA

Once a romantic hero, Count Almaviva has grown arrogant and restless in his marriage. As the head of the household, he tries to use his power to seduce Susanna. Jealous, manipulative, and quick to anger, the Count becomes entangled in a web of his own making. Yet beneath his bluster lies a man who, when confronted with his faults, is capable of remorse. His eventual plea for forgiveness reveals a glimpse of humility in an otherwise prideful character.

DON CURZIO

Don Curzio is the stammering magistrate brought in to rule on the case between Figaro and Marcellina. Easily overwhelmed and often caught in the crossfire of arguments, Don Curzio tries to maintain order amid the chaos. His exaggerated formality and nervous energy make him a classic buffo character, serving as one more piece in the opera’s farcical legal and romantic entanglements.

The Characters

SUSANNA

Susanna is the Countess’s maid and Figaro’s bride-to-be—and she’s nobody’s fool. She is intelligent, perceptive, and poised under pressure. Whether scheming with the Countess, deflecting unwanted attention, or keeping Figaro in check, Susanna navigates the opera’s twists with confidence and charm. Her quick wit and emotional insight make her the true heart of the story—and a force to be reckoned with in the battle of love and class.

COUNTESS ALMAVIVA

Elegant, intelligent, and quietly suffering, the Countess is trapped in a marriage to a man who no longer honors her. Beneath her composed exterior lies deep sorrow and longing for the love she once shared with the Count. Yet she refuses to be merely a victim. With Susanna’s help, she takes part in a clever plot to expose her husband’s infidelity. The Countess’s dignity, compassion, and strength shine through as she chooses forgiveness over vengeance—becoming a powerful symbol of love’s resilience and grace.

ANTONIO

Antonio, the Count’s cantankerous gardener—and Susanna’s uncle—is easily ruffled and quick to complain. He storms into the action when someone tramples his flower beds, unknowingly disrupting one of the opera’s secret rendezvous. Though not the sharpest character, Antonio’s accidental interference nearly derails Figaro’s plans, especially when he presents a dropped letter as evidence. With his stubbornness and confusion, Antonio adds a dose of rustic humor to the court’s high-stakes scheming.

CHERUBINO

A whirlwind of teenage emotion, Cherubino is the Count’s young page, hopelessly infatuated with every woman he sees. Awkward, impulsive, and brimming with romantic energy, he stumbles through the opera in a flurry of blushes, serenades, and close calls. His misadventures, including disguises and narrow escapes, add both humor and charm to the story. Though often the butt of the joke, Cherubino’s wide-eyed sincerity offers a sweet contrast to the scheming adults around him.

MARCELLINA

At first, Marcellina appears to be an obstacle—an older woman determined to force Figaro into marriage over an unpaid debt. Sharp-tongued and persistent, she aligns herself with Bartolo to exact revenge. But the tables turn in classic comic fashion when it’s revealed that Figaro is actually her long-lost son. This twist transforms Marcellina from antagonist to unexpected ally, adding both humor and heart to the opera’s unfolding chaos. Beneath her bluster lies a woman yearning for connection and dignity.

BARBARINA

Barbarina is the young, innocent daughter of Antonio the gardener, full of youthful charm and quiet determination. Entrusted with delivering an important letter, her shy but earnest efforts play a small yet pivotal role in the unfolding drama. Though often overlooked by the adults around her, Barbarina’s kindness and hopefulness add a tender, lighthearted touch to the opera’s lively tapestry of characters.

BASILIO

Sly, slippery, and always in the know, Don Basilio is the court’s music teacher and a professional gossip. Quick to spread rumors and stir the pot, he often serves the Count’s interests—especially when it comes to manipulating romantic entanglements. Though he presents himself as a man of culture, Basilio’s real talent lies in opportunism and social maneuvering. Whether eavesdropping or meddling in others’ affairs, he’s never far from the drama, adding a layer of sly humor to the opera’s whirlwind plot.

BARTOLO

A pompous and blustering figure, Dr. Bartolo enters the story seeking revenge on Figaro for past humiliations—namely, helping Rosina (now the Countess) escape his guardianship and marry the Count. Teaming up with Marcellina to block Figaro’s marriage, Bartolo hopes to settle old scores through legal means. But the revelation that he is Figaro’s long-lost father flips the situation entirely. Gruff yet ultimately good-hearted, Bartolo shifts from antagonist to reluctant family man, adding a layer of comic irony to the opera’s tangled relationships.

  • Our production of The Marriage of Figaro will be 3 Hours long.

  • The Marriage of Figaro will be performed on October 4, 2025 at the Globe News Center at 7:00pm.

  • Tickets will be available starting September 1st both online and over the phone.