20 May

19:00

Nationale Opera & Ballet

Amstel 3, Amsterdam

Experience Mozart's masterpiece, a tragicomic classic about love, power, and deceit. This opera follows the madcap events of a single day as Figaro and Susanna prepare for their wedding amidst romantic intrigues and social commentary.

Wed, 20 May 2026 19:00

Nationale Opera & Ballet, Amsterdam

Sat, 23 May 2026 19:00

Nationale Opera & Ballet, Amsterdam

The Marriage of Figaro

More info & tickets

Mozart's masterpiece about love, power, and deceit

With Le nozze di Figaro, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart composed a tragicomic classic that has been a crowd favorite since its premiere in 1786. Mozart and librettist Da Ponte combine playful intrigues with existential questions and social criticism, which, in the direction of Kirill Serebrennikov, still proves to be relevant today.

The opera takes place on a single mad day. Figaro and Susanna are preparing for their wedding, but their boss, Count Almaviva, has his eye on Susanna. Meanwhile, his wife, the Countess, is being seduced by the young Cherubino.

Drives and Motivations

The distinctive director Kirill Serebrennikov reveals the drives and motivations behind the characters in this household, which has a neat appearance but a rumbling underbelly. As in a thriller, the relationships are brought to a head. Serebrennikov adds an extra storyline by splitting the role of Cherubino into a male and female character. The silent but agile Cherubino – played by an actor – is overflowing with sexual desires but fails to notice the love that the singing Cherubina feels for him.

Baroque in Historical Style

Conductor Francesco Corti makes his debut with Dutch National Opera and the Netherlands Chamber Orchestra with this production. He is an expert in the performance of baroque and classical music in historical style.

Soprano Olga Kulchynska previously won the hearts of the Amsterdam audience in Königskinder and makes her debut as la Contessa (the Countess) in this production. Baritone Björn Bürger, who shone last season in Die Fledermaus, takes on the role of Count Almaviva. Emily Pogorelc and Michael Nagl make their house debuts as Susanna and Figaro. Soprano Véronique Gens sings her first Marcellina, and Cecilia Molinari, who received much acclaim as Idamante in Idomeneo (2025), performs the role of Cherubina.

Introduction

An introduction will take place 45 minutes before the start of the performance, providing background information to enrich your theater visit. The introductions are given in Dutch and are free to attend without a reservation. You only need to show your ticket for the performance. The introductions are held in the Souterrain.

Introduction for Le nozze di Figaro
Ewout Ganzevoort and Niels Nuijten