Netia Jones brilliantly expands on Beaumarchais’ work

Supported by an inspired cast and flamboyant staging, Mozart’s work, according to Beaumarchais, returned with great success at the Opéra Garnier. A very feminist work.

The reception, Tuesday 18 November, was triumphant. The audience gave the artists a standing ovation throughout the 3.5 hour performance before a standing ovation at the end that lasted several minutes. THAT Figaro’s Wedding, Netia Jones’ 2022 production continues to generate great enthusiasm among the public. On view at the Opéra Garnier until December 27.

Behind the scenes is the main stage. The British director chose the concept “Gesamtkunstwerk”, a total work of art. In addition to directing, he was responsible for the sets, costumes, and video. The unity is clearly visible. Literally.

How to update a famous work like Beaumarchais’s? Faithfully adapting it. “In fact, the only authentic way to represent 18th century theater is to do so in modern costumes and in a contemporary setting.”cut, in booklet, Netia Jones. And it’s up to the director to mix temporalities: sneakers and hats are combined with wigs and period costumes with the Opéra Garnier as the backdrop.

The main thing is elsewhere: Prince Almaviva remains a demanding well-born character “right to cook.” Today he is a grown man who abuses ballerinas.

The message is clear: if the status of women has changed, toxic practices remain even as the #MeToo wave has shaken centuries of dominance. THAT Figaro’s Wedding, Netia Jones’ version, holds up a mirror to the public.

Behind the scenes is lighthearted, systematically inciting hearty laughs, subtle critiques of class relations, and depictions of 18th-century political and social mores. Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais, Enlightenment playwright, questioned the relationship between men and women, and denounced privilege.

What is the similarity with the world of opera? ? “Opera is completely misogynistic! The art form and the industry. (…) This is a truly masculine world, this is a masculine stronghold, you can’t say it any other way, here are the numbers that prove it,” Netia Jones confides in franceinfo Culture.

So in his version, Suzanne becomes a costume designer, Figaro is no longer a valet, but a wig maker, Marcelline becomes a producer…

Netia Jones offers several readings. The use of video is not excessive, on the contrary it actually expands Beaumarchais’ work such as the projection of parts deleted by Lorenzo Da Ponte due to censorship.

Carried by a five-star cast and the inspirational baton of Antonello Manacorda, Mozart’s work enjoyed undeniable success. All shows are sold out.

Duration: 3h30 with 1 break
Language : Italy
Subtitle: FFrench/English
Music : Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Booklet: Lorenzo Da Ponte
According to: Pierre – Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais, Figaro’s wedding
Music direction: Antonello Manacorda
Directions, sets, costumes, video: Netia Jones
Light: Lucy Carter
Choreography: Sophie Laplane
Collaboration in staging: Glen Sheppard
Video collaboration: Ian Winters & Maps of Light
Dramaturgy: Solene Souriau
Choir leader: Alessandro Di Stefan
Distribution: Christian Gerhaher, Hanna-Elisabeth Muller, Gordon Bintner, Sabine Devieilhe, Lea Desandre, Monica Bacelli, James Creswell, Leonardo Cortellazzi, Nicholas Jones, Ilanah Lobel-Torres, Franck Leguerinel, Sima Ouahman, Daria Akulova
Date: through December 27 at the Opéra Garnier