Speakeysie News Desk

Mozart’s Most Celebrated Comic Opera Returns to the Stage in a Snappy Production of Romance and Revenge

Revenge

Atlanta, GA— The Atlanta Opera returns to the mainstage in 2026 with a high-energy production of W.A. Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro. Directed by Stephen Lawless and conducted by Christoper Allen, this “stylish and witty production” (South Florida Classical Review) unfolds the mischief, melodies, and charm of Mozart’s irresistible masterpiece. The Marriage of Figaro, with a shimmering score and a sharp comedic plot of love and breaking societal boundaries, continues to delight audiences and remains one of the most beloved operas in history.

“This ingenious production of The Marriage of Figaro will captivate Atlanta audiences with its wit, humanity, and vocal brilliance, brought to life by a sensational ensemble that includes an unusually deep and accomplished group of artists and a great conductor- in Christopher Allen,” said Tomer Zvulun, The Atlanta Opera’s General & Artistic Director. “Mozart’s brilliant music and the fast‑paced comedy in this masterpiece have led many to call it the ‘perfect opera.’ We are excited to bring this work back to Atlanta after more than a decade of absence!”

Christopher Allen is a conductor of exceptional distinction and a recipient of the Sir Georg Solti Conducting Award, the most prestigious recognition for emerging American conductors. He leads an exceptional cast with every role fully realized. Brandon Cedel, as Figaro, returns to The Atlanta Opera after his acclaimed turn in 2023’s Don Giovanni, which was noted for his “ample, agile bass-baritone” (The New Yorker). He stars opposite Sydney Mancasola, who makes her house debut with the role of Susanna. Noted for her “radiant and glittering” voice (Opera News), Mancasola joins Luke Sutliff as Count Almaviva, who returns for his fourth appearance with the company since 2024’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Notably, Cedel, Mancasola, and Sutliff are all Grand Final winners of the Metropolitan Opera’s prestigious Eric and Dominique Laffont Competition.

Making her U.S. debut with The Atlanta Opera is Romanian soprano Iulia Maria Dan in the role of the Countess. Her performances in Vienna, Paria, Barcelona, Hong Kong, and throughout Australia and Germany have reviewers acclaiming her “richly colored, beautifully finished but still radiantly clear sound” (Sydney Morning Herald). Rounding out the extraordinary cast are Rihab Chaieb and Patrick Carfizzi. Mezzo-soprano Chaieb, fresh from triumphs at the Metropolitan Opera, LA Opera, and the Philadelphia Orchestra, performs Cherubino in this production. Bass-baritone Carfizzi, performing Doctor Bartolo, has been called “the ‘heart and soul’ of the Met Opera” by The New York Times. With impeccable comic timing and his “rich, agile sound” (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel), Carfizzi has made Bartolo his signature role in productions around the world.

About The Marriage of Figaro
Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro (Le nozze di Figaro) unfolds over a single, eventful day in the household of Count Almaviva, on the eve of Figaro and Susanna’s wedding. As the clever servants prepare to marry, they must outwit their employer, who schemes to undermine their union while pursuing Susanna himself.

Across four fast-moving acts, disguises, overheard conversations, and ingenious reversals propel the comedy. Cherubino, the love-struck page, brings youthful chaos, while the Countess, wounded by her husband’s infidelity, emerges as the opera’s emotional heart. Confusion multiplies in bedrooms and corridors before reaching its peak in a moonlit garden, where mistaken identities unravel, the Count is exposed, and forgiveness restores order.

Premiered in 1786, The Marriage of Figaro reshaped comic opera by blending sparkling wit with deep emotional truth. Mozart’s revolutionary ensemble writing and librettist Lorenzo Da Ponte’s richly human characters created a masterwork that remains one of the most cherished operas in the repertory. Sung in Italian with English supertitles.

Performance and Ticket Information
The Marriage of Figaro is scheduled for four performances, on March 14, 17, 20, and 22 (matinee), at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre located at 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30339. Evening performances are at 7:30 pm; Sunday matinee is at 3:00 pm. Ticket prices start at $35 and are available now at Atlantaopera.org or by calling 404-881-8885. Discounts are available for students, young professionals, veterans, and groups.

Livestream
The Friday, March 20 performance of The Marriage of Figaro will be livestreamed by The Atlanta Opera Film Studio. Offered free with email registration, the livestream starts with a pre-show at 6:30 p.m. ESTfollowed by the performance at 7:30 p.m. The livestream will be available internationally Link: https://stream.atlantaopera.org/tao-livestreams/events/the-marriage-of-figaro-cinematic-livestream-event .

About The Atlanta Opera
The Atlanta Opera’s mission is to break the boundaries of opera to create exceptional experiences for audiences everywhere. Founded in 1979, the company works with world-renowned singers, conductors, directors, and designers who seek to enhance the art form. Under the leadership of internationally recognized stage director and Carl W. Knobloch, Jr. General & Artistic Director Tomer Zvulun, The Atlanta Opera expanded the mainstage productions at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre and launched the acclaimed “Discoveries” event series, and the innovative 96-Hour Opera Project. In recent years, the company has been named among the “Best of” by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, has been nominated in 2016 and 2023 for an International Opera Award, received an ArtsATL’s 2019 Luminary Award for Community Engagement in recognition of its successful Veterans Program in partnership with the Home Depot Foundation, and the 2023 Governor’s Award for the Arts and Humanities recognized the excellence of the 96-Hour Opera Project. In addition, The Atlanta Opera was featured in a 2018 Harvard Business School case study about successful organizational growth, and Zvulun presented a TEDx Talk at Emory University titled “The Ambidextrous Opera Company, or Opera in the Age of iPhones.” During the COVID-19 pandemic, The Atlanta Opera was one of the only companies in the world to create a full, alternative season, consisting of no less than 40 live performances in two different outdoor venues, including a revolutionary custom-designed circus tent. The critically acclaimed productions and concerts were streamed in HD on the newly created streaming platform “Atlanta Opera Film Studio,” which continues to allow The Atlanta Opera to reach a global audience. National media coverage of the “pandemic season” included features in the Wall Street Journal and PBS NewsHour. Reflecting on the company’s achievements over the past decade, Musical America declared, “The Atlanta Opera Has Arrived.”