Met Opera Live streams Mozart's comedic whirlwind of mistaken identities

Whitefish Theatre Co., in collaboration with the Whitefish Performing Arts Center, presents “Le Nozze di Figaro” (“The Marriage of Figaro”) as part of the 2024-2025 live streaming season of the Metropolitan Opera Live in HD. 

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s comedic whirlwind of mistaken identities, twists and turns, “Le Nozze di Figaro” will be shown on Saturday, April 26 at 11 a.m. at the O’Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish. Approximate run time is 3 hours and 55 minutes, including one 30-minute intermission. Tickets are sold only at the door which will open at 10:30 am. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students, paid by cash or check only. 

Sung in Italian with subtitles, “Le Nozze di Figaro” is considered Mozart’s greatest comedy, sparkling with disguises, wit, and trickery. In Act I, Figaro, a servant to Count Almaviva, is preparing to marry Susanna, the Countess’s maid. Susanna tells Figaro that Almaviva has been pursuing her, and a furious Figaro makes plans to enact his revenge. Marcellina, an older woman, is jealous that Susanna has won Figaro’s heart. The young, flirtatious Cherubino enters, lamenting that Almaviva is angry with him for getting caught with the gardener’s daughter. Cherubino hides as Almaviva enters, attempting to woo Susanna, however, Almaviva discovers Cherubino and demands that he immediately leave the house and join the military. 

In Act II, the Countess laments Almaviva’s infidelity and wonders if her husband will ever love her again. Susanna tells the Countess of the plan she and Figaro have hatched to trick the womanizing Count. Almaviva charges into the room with a letter, which Figaro has planted, suggesting that the Countess has been unfaithful. Almaviva nearly catches Cherubino, who leaps from the window to escape. Almaviva is delighted to learn that Marcellina has a contract whereby Figaro must marry her in order to pay off his debt.

In Act III, Almaviva asks Susanna for a rendezvous in the garden and the Countess insists that Susanna agree to the meeting. Marcellina demands that Figaro marry her, showing him the contract, however, in the course of the conversation, Figaro shows Marcellina his birthmark, which she recognizes as that of her long-lost son. Susanna grows jealous as she sees mother and son embrace, until she hears the amazing and happy story. As the household gathers for Figaro and Susanna’s wedding, Susanna and the Countess move their plan forward. Susanna delivers a letter to the Count, suggesting a tryst in the garden.

Finally in Act IV, Figaro gets wind of Susanna’s letter to the Count and believes his bride is sneaking around on him. Susanna and the Countess appear, disguised as one another. Almaviva makes his move on Susanna (who is really the Countess), while Figaro tells the Countess (who is really Susanna) about his wife’s philandering. Yet when Figaro hears Susanna’s voice, he figures out the ruse, and laughing, kisses the real Susanna. Count Almaviva sees this kiss and is furious, until the Countess reveals herself. Almaviva apologizes for his jealousy and his wandering eye, and as the truth is revealed, all is set right.

Conductor Joana Mallwitz makes her Met debut leading an extraordinary cast in Mozart’s comic masterpiece. Bass-baritone Michael Sumuel stars as the clever valet Figaro, opposite soprano Olga Kulchynska as his betrothed, the wily maid Susanna. Baritone Joshua Hopkins is the skirt-chasing Count, with soprano Federica Lombardi as his anguished wife and mezzo-soprano Sun-Ly Pierce as the adolescent page Cherubino. 

The Live in HD experience offers exclusive behind-the-scenes content and cast interviews. Food and beverage will be available for purchase during the performance. Please go to www.whitefishtheatreco.org to read about the entire Met Opera Live in HD season or call 406-862-5371 for more information.