The Marriage of Figaro: Mozart revisited backstage at the Palais Garnier

From November 15 to December 27, 2025, Mozart's Les Noces de Figaro will be staged at the Palais Garnier in a production that takes the action backstage in a contemporary opera house.

From November 15 to December 27, 2025, the Palais Garnier will host The Marriage of Figaro, Mozart's masterpiece inspired by Beaumarchais ' comedy The Marriage of Figaro. Premiered in Vienna in 1786, this opera would have escaped Joseph II 's imperial censorship by refocusing the work on human relationships rather than its initial political charge. This production, which is scheduled to run for 3h30 with an intermission, will be sung in Italian, with French and English surtitles.

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Netia Jones ' staging would offer an original re-reading of the work, placing the action backstage at the Palais Garnier. This choice would anchor the issues of power and social hierarchy at the heart of a contemporary opera house, establishing a parallel between the social structure of the 18th century and that of a codified artistic universe. This shift in plot would allow us to subtly explore the tensions between classes, present in Mozart's score, sometimes with marked intensity.

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The plot, centered on the announced marriage between Figaro and Susanna, would be disrupted by Count Almaviva 's attempts to exercise an ancient feudal right. Through a series of stratagems, the two fiancés succeed in thwarting the Count's plans, in a comedy of situations where intelligence takes precedence over power.

Les Noces de Figaro could appeal to both experienced opera lovers and those wishing to discover Mozart in a prestigious setting. The contemporary approach to staging, combined with an emblematic work, would make it a gateway accessible to the general public, while retaining a musical and dramatic richness likely to interest connoisseurs. However, due to its length and the density of its libretto, this show would seem less suited to young children.

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Tickets go on sale on June 17, 2025 at 12:00 p.m., with prices ranging from €50 to €220, depending on category. This rereading of The Marriage of Figaro is part of a dynamic renewal of the classics at theOpéra national de Paris, combining high artistic standards with a contemporary perspective.

This article is based on information currently available. The show has not been viewed by the editorial staff.

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