SAVERIO MERCADANTE
I DUE FIGARO

Sunday, February 4, 2018— 2:30pm

An Italian opera with english surtitles

Rediscovered in 2009, this 1826 opera turns out to be a jewel of the Bel Canto style. Brilliant and graceful.

Featuring
Narmina Afandiyeva, Music Director and Pianist
Robert Cooper, Chorus Director

Beste Kalender
Ilana Zarankin
Tonatiuh Abrego
Marjorie Maltais
Holly Chaplin
Nicholas Borg
Edward Larocque

SYNOPSIS

Act 1

Torribio wants to marry Inez, the daughter of Count Almaviva. To reach his goal, he has devised a plan, with the help of Figaro, to whom Torribio will give a part of the rich dowry. Almaviva, deceived by false letters that present Torribio as Don Alvaro, agrees to the marriage.

But Inez is in love with Cherubino and tries, with the help of the Countess Rosina and Susanna, to avoid the undesired union. Cherubino, disguised as another Figaro, gains Almaviva's trust and becomes his servant.

The other Figaro, suspicious, tells Almaviva that Cherubino is the lover of Inez, in order to put him in bad light. When Almaviva and Figaro lurk to catch Cherubino and Inez together, they discover Cherubino in company of Susanna. Cherubino, supported by Susanna, claims to be in love with her and Figaro, furious, is forced by the insistence of all the characters rushed to the scene to show forgiveness.

The events are peppered with the interventions of Plagio, a playwright in search of a subject for a new comedy.

Act 2

Cherubino and Inez meet in the room of Susanna. They want to find a way to avoid the marriage with Don Alvaro, expected for the same evening. Suddenly Figaro appears, convinced that Susanna is plotting against him with the help of Cherubino.

When also Almaviva and the Countess appear, Figaro discovers Cherubino and Inez hidden in a wardrobe. Almaviva decides to chase away Cherubino and Susanna, but Susanna manages to obtain his forgiveness.

Torribio arrives for the wedding, but Cherubino, come back in the castle, recognizes in the supposed Don Alvaro a former servant of his. Therefore Cherubino decides to reveal his true identity and discloses to Almaviva that Figaro and Torribio were trying to deceive him. To Almaviva remains nothing else to do that agreeing to the marriage between Inez and Cherubino and, on the insistence of Susanna, he forgives also Figaro.