The revival of the Jean-Pierre Ponnelle production of Mozart's operatic masterpiece "Le Nozze di Figaro" ("The Marriage of Figaro"), which received its second performance Monday night at the Kennedy Center Opera House, is a triumph in every way.
The opera is perfectly cast, the sets and costume are first-class, and the supreme music of Mozart is given its proper center-stage attention. The stage direction is intelligent, witty and very lively. This is a must-see Washington Opera production, and remaining shows have sold out.
The four-act opera is done in two extended acts, with scene changes occurring at the middle of both acts. The set, designed by Jean-Pierre Ponnelle, is versatile, transforming into the four settings of the opera. The production is set in the 18th century, and its costumes are accordingly stylish and elegant.
The cast is simply superb. James Michael McGuire is a cunning Figaro. His character was full of life, and his command of his demanding role was a joy to experience. His Susanna, Teresa Ringholz, was a saucy foil for him. Her final aria, "Deh vieni, non tardar," was deeply moving, and her ensemble work was beautiful, especially her duets with the Countess Almaviva.
Countess Almaviva was given regal splendor by Yvonne Xenny. Her only problem may have been the stage director's choice to have the character pose for a painting to sing her first aria, "Porgi amor." The staging made her a stiff aristocrat, although Mozart is telling us musically that this woman is profoundly distraught with her love life. She quickly recovered, and her Countess was a vital force the rest of the evening.
Jeffrey Black was a dynamic Count Almaviva. This Count is outwitted, but Mozart and Jeffrey Black know he is no fool. His stage presence was bigger than life, and his delivery of the Count's diverse arias and ensemble parts was always fresh and vital.
The real show-stopper was Charlotte Hellekant. She is a lean and athletic Cherubino who perfectly captures the passion of the youth with one thing on his mind. Her arias were so spellbinding that comparisons to Frederica von Stade's Cherubino kept coming to mind, and Ms. Hellekant held her own in every way.
Paolo Montarsolo (Doctor Bartolo), Kathleen Segar (Marcellina), Ragnar Ulfung (Don Basilio) and Melvin Lowery (Don Curzio) gave the perfect blend of comic wit and human warmth to their adversarial characters. John Shirley-Quirk was wonderful as the irritated gardener Antonio. Mary Margaret Sapp completed the cast as Barbarina, and her vocal contributions were also touching.
Conductor Heinz Fricke, the Washington Opera music director, led the ensemble with clarity and warmth. The interpretation had the fire one associates with conductors like Solti, but the human warmth that Karl Bohm brought to this score was also prevalent.
The Washington Opera Orchestra handled all the music with ease.
This production is worthy of the genius of Mozart at the height of his artistic powers.
'THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO'
Where: Kennedy Center Opera House, Washington
When: Tomorrow at 8 p.m., Saturday at 7 p.m., Tuesday at 8 p.m., Nov. 25 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 27 at 2 p.m.
Tickets: $50-$150; remaining shows are sold out; some tickets may be available day of show
Call: (202) 467-4600