The Abduction of Figaro
The Abduction of Figaro is a
Schickele was commissioned to "discover" this opera by the Minnesota Opera, where the piece premiered on April 27 and 28, 1984.[2] In addition to parodying Mozart, the music incorporates diverse influences and musical quotes, from traditional camp songs like "Found a Peanut" to popular songs like "Macho Man" by the Village People. The opera has been released on VHS and DVD.[3]
Roles
Role | Voice type[3] | Premiere cast, 27 April 1984 Conductor of chorus, |
---|---|---|
Al Donfonso, Pasha Shaboom, Papa Geno | bass | Leroy Lehr |
Susanna Susannadanna, Mama Geno | mezzo-soprano | Dana Krueger |
Pecadillo | tenor | Bruce Edwin Ford |
Donna Donna | soprano | Marilyn Brustadt |
Blondie | soprano | Lisbeth Lloyd |
Donald Giovanni | bass-baritone | Michael Burt |
Schlepporello | almost-a-baritone | Jack Walsh |
Captain Kadd | basso | Will Roy |
Opec | bargain counter tenor | John Ferrante |
Figaro | silent | Arthur Kaemmer |
Stage Director | Michael Montel | |
Choreographer | Larry Hayden | |
Set Designer | John Lee Beatty | |
Costume Designer | Gail Bakkom | |
Wig & Make-up Master | Richard Stead | |
Lighting Designer | Ruth Roberts | |
Video Editor | Daniel Mercure | |
Television Director | Kaye S. Lavine | |
Television Producer | Stephen Schmidt | |
The theme to Culture on Parade is performed by the London Serpent Trio. |
Synopsis of scenes
1. Introductory remarks by Prof. Peter Schickele
2. Opening credits
3. Overture
Act 1: A town on the seacoast of Spain or Italy or somewhere
Scene 1: Figaro's bedroom in the palace of Count Almamater
4. Introduction: "Found a peanut!"
5. Recitative: "Ah, dear husband"
Aria: "Stay with me"
6. Recitative: "Suzanna"
7. Recitative: "Dog!"
Aria: "Perfidy, thy name is Donald"
8. Recitative: "I am distraught"
9. Quartet: "Love is gone"
Scene 2: A courtyard of the palace
10. Recitative: "Well, here we are"
11. Aria: "Behold, fair maiden"
12. Recitative: "Just a moment"
Duet: "Thy lofty tree"
Scene 3: Figaro's bedroom
13. Recitative: "And here is my husband"
14. Recitative: "Hold it!"
Aria: "My name is Captain Kadd"
15. Recitative: "Now that you've heard"
16. Sextet: "What a downer!"
Scene 4: The courtyard
17. Recitative: "Schlepporello"
Aria: "No man"
Scene 5: At the dock
18. Recitative: "What a strange turn of events"
19. Quintet and chorus: "Ah, though we must part"
20. Act 1 finale
21. Introduction to act 2
Act 2: Somewhere in the Turkish Empire
Scene 1: At the seashore
22. Duet: "God be praised"
Scene 2: In front of the Pasha's palace
23. Aria: "Fish gotta swim"
24. Chorus: "Hey, make way"
25. Dance of the Seven Pails
26. Recitative: "Your immenseness"
27. Duet, chorus, and dialogue: "Who is the highest"
28. Quartet: "May I introduce"
Scene 3: A courtyard of the palace
29. Dialogue and recitative: "Why?"
Aria and dialogue: "Macho, macho"
30. Cavatina and dialogue: "You can beat me"
31. Act 2 finale
Act 3: A tropical forest
32. Ballet
33. Trio and dialogue: "A magic forest"
34. Duet and dialogue: "I am a swineherd"
35. Finale (part 1) and dialogue
36. Aria and dialogue: "Why, oh why"
37. Finale (part 2)
38. Curtain calls and closing credits
39. Closing remarks by Prof. Schickele
DVD bonus tracks
- Excerpts from the Gross Concerto for Divers Flutes and Orchestra, S. −2[4]
- Professor Peter Schickele in conversation with Gordon Hunt
References
- ^ " The Abduction of Figaro – composition details". Peter Schickele. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
- ^ John Rockwell (30 April 1984). "Peter Schickele's Abduction of Figaro". The New York Times. Retrieved 21 September 2007.
- ^ a b c The Abduction of Figaro DVD, Schickele Emporium
- ^ "Gross Concerto – composition details". Peter Schickele. Retrieved 24 November 2022.