Jessica Dean and Anthony Hunt

The major event for the first term was, of course, The Marriage of Figaro, conducted by Sir Colin Davis, and directed by John Copley. This was a mammoth undertaking for everyone involved, but Jessica was thrilled to be given the role of Barbarina, which, if you don’t know Figaro, is a lovely small role for a young soprano with a beautiful aria at the opening of Act Four.

Many of the principal roles had already been rehearsing since the end of the previous year, so it was pretty much straight into Figaro rehearsals from day one. Anthony was involved particularly with preparing the covers for a seperate mini-performance, and is also now, amongst other things, an experienced surtitle operator! Figaro was such a pleasure to work on, it is of course one of the greatest operas ever written, and John Copley’s insight into the libretto was extraordinary.

I think Figaro is one of those pieces that will come up time and time again for anyone involved with opera. It is well loved by audiences and performers alike for very good reasons; the apparent charm and simplicity of the music very carefully drives the action, and the witty humour throughout make all the characters loveable, and particularly believable. And, of course I’m sure it is universally acknowledged that the fast and furious Finale to Act 2 is one of the greatest scenes ever written for the stage.

Below: Jessica as Barbarina with, Lucie Spickova (Cherubino), Lisa Crosato (Countess) and Dong Jun Wang (Count.)