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“Le Nozze Di Figaro” surprisingly entertaining

A scene from "Le Nozze Di Figaro", which is one of the many operas by The Metropolitan Opera that have and will be held live at Cinemark Tinseltown 14. (Source: Ken Howard/Metropolitan Opera)
A scene from “Le Nozze Di Figaro,” which is one of the many productions in The Metropolitan Opera’s series, “The Met: Live in HD”. These performances can be seen live at Cinemark Tinseltown 14. (Source: Ken Howard/Metropolitan Opera)

All my life I’ve been exposed to a narrow range of musical culture. It was usually rock music or the occasional musical. However, I’ve never been exposed to opera until I experienced my first opera, “Le Nozze Di Figaro” by Mozart.

“Le Nozze Di Figaro” is one of many operas that are being broadcast live to Cinemark Tinseltown 14 in the Newgate mall from the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. “Le Nozze Di Figaro” and all the other operas are part of the award-winning series “The Met: Live in HD.”

“Le Nozze Di Figaro” is a comedic opera featuring themes of love and infidelity. Figaro and Susanna, the opera’s hero and heroine, are servants of the Count and Countess Almaviva, and are scheduled to get married. Susanna is a very popular lady, the Count and a boy named Cherubino are both vying for her affection. Despite their efforts, Susanna only has eyes for Figaro.

The Count is known for his infidelity, but has never really been caught in the act. The Countess, Susanna and Figaro all devise a plan that will put the Count in a trap. Their plan involves disguising one another to fool the Count so they can catch him cheating on the Countess.

Before going into seeing “Le Nozze Di Figaro” I had lots of doubt. Considering the ways in which I was brought up, I had the mind set that it would be really boring. I figured it would be a tiresome storyline that would end up putting me to sleep. Since it is in Italian, I also figured I wouldn’t be able to understand any of it, even with the subtitles.

After having seen “Le Nozze Di Figaro,” you could say I was pleasantly surprised. When it first started and the overture started to play, I automatically knew that there was a good possibility that I might actually enjoy it.

I knew this opera was written by Mozart, but what I didn’t realize was how much of his music I was going to recognize. When I got home I immediately looked up music from “Le Nozze Di Figaro.” After listening to it a few times, classical music became a new love for me, something I never thought could be possible.

The music wasn’t the only good thing in “Le Nozze Di Figaro.” The singing, of course, was phenomenal. I’ve never realized how much talent it takes to sing in an opera. After having watched the opera, I think it is safe to say it takes tremendous talent to be an opera singer. I assumed after hearing them sing for a while it would get annoying. That wasn’t the case at all. In fact, it was actually really soothing and relaxing to hear the performers sing. It wasn’t too relaxing where it could put you to sleep, but it was just enough that it left room for it to be really entertaining.

“Le Nozze Di Figaro” was funny, entertaining and full of talent. The other operas that are set to be shown at Cinemark will be different from this one, but will feature the same amazing talent and beautifully played music. The next operas to be featured on “The Met: Live in HD” will be “Carmen” by Georges Bizet on Nov 1, followed by “II Barbiere di Siviglia” by Gioacchino Rossini on Nov 22. Additional performances will continue until April.

It doesn’t matter who you are, being exposed to different culture is always a good thing. It simply makes you a more well-rounded and diverse person for doing so. I highly recommend going and exposing yourself to one of the many beautiful and highly acclaimed performances put on by The Metropolitan Opera through “The Met: Live in HD.”

Note: This story was updated to correct the language the opera is written in.

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  • J

    Jean Reid NormanOct 26, 2014 at 3:50 pm

    Hello Brandon and Walter,
    Thank you for pointing out our error. We have corrected the story. And we will look forward to “The Barber of Seville.”

    Reply
  • B

    BrandonOct 22, 2014 at 6:47 pm

    Eh, it was in Italian. Carmen will be in french.
    And it has been “surprisingly entertaining” since the 1780’s. If all art aspires to music, all music aspires to opera.
    Welcome to a beautiful new world of sound and beauty! Be sure to check out The Barber of Seville next month. Not only is it the prequel to Nozze, but it will feature Isabel Leonard as Rosina (who becomes the Countess). Mrs. Leonard portrayed Cherubino in Nozze.

    Reply
  • W

    walter schwagerOct 21, 2014 at 10:05 pm

    Glad to see you enjoyed the opera – I enjoyed it immensely too at the Met. But the opera is sung in Italian, and Cherubino is in love with the Countess, IMHO>

    Reply