Kirill Serebrennikov’s Marriage of Figaro challenges Edinburgh

Peter Kellner (Figaro) and Penny Sofroniadou (Susanna)

Le nozze di Figaro

Verity Wingate (Countess) and Hubert Zapiór (Count Almaviva)

Le nozze di Figaro

By David Smythe, 17 August 2024

Loading, please wait...

See full listing

“the edgy production is packed with fun and wit making it hugely enjoyable”

Reviewed at Edinburgh Festival Theatre, Edinburgh on 16 August 2024

Mozart, Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro) (UK premiere of production)

Komische Oper Berlin

James Gaffigan, Conductor

Kirill Serebrennikov, Director, Set Designer, Costume Designer

Olga Pavliuk, Set Designer

Tatyana Dolmatovskaya, Costume Designer

Orchester der Komischen Oper Berlin

Hubert Zapiór, Count Almaviva

Verity Wingate, Countess Almaviva

Peter Kellner, Figaro

Penny Sofroniadou, Susanna

Patricia Nolz, Cherubino

Tijl Faveyts, Doctor Bartolo

Karolina Gumos, Marcellina

Johannes Dunz, Don Basilio

Peter Lobert, Antonio

Evgeny Kulagin, Choreography

Georgy Kudrenko, Actor

Nikita Kukushkin

Handel’s Belshazzar at Komische Oper Berlin

Zenaida des Aubris, 28th March

The Baroque confectionery of Herbert Fritsch's production of Handel's oratorio belies a serious core which is all too close to today's headlines.

****1

Barrie Kosky directs a ferocious new Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk

Zenaida des Aubris, 31st January

Shostakovich's opera is laid bare in Berlin, to devastating effect, with a distinguished cast led by Ambur Braid.

****1

Masks and obsessions: Evgeny Titov’s Salome at Komische Oper Berlin

Zenaida des Aubris, 22nd November

Salome is faceless and the Dance of the Seven Veils becomes a sardonic commentary on seduction in Komische Oper Berlin's austere new staging.

****1

Opulent minimalism: Kosky directs a new staging of Akhnaten

Zenaida des Aubris, 23rd March

Barrie Kosky's new production of Philip Glass' Akhnaten for Komische Oper at the Schillertheater removes any egyptological references.

****1

A blade too dull: Kosky directs Sweeney Todd at Komische Oper

Elena Luporini, 17th November

With a brand new production by Barrie Kosky, Komische Oper Berlin's first venture into the Sondheim repertoire mostly falls flat.

**111

Kosky's Eine Frau, die weiß, was sie will at Komische Oper

Elena Luporini, 22nd March

It takes two to tango... but what about vaudeville? A rerun of Barrie Kosky's production of Oscar Straus' Eine Frau, die weiß, was sie will owes most of its charm to the two leads.

***11

More reviews...

David Smythe

David the farmer was drawn into music through choirs, orchestras, taking part in and directing 'serious' opera as a student. Passionate about live classical music, particularly chamber opera, unusual pieces and events and giving the next generation the tools to engage with the classical world.

“Capitalism kills love”: Kirill Serebrennikov’s Marriage of Figaro challenges Edinburgh