Figaro, Figaro, Figaro

By Sedonia Martin on April 12, 2018

The Towson University Department of Music is presenting Le Nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), Mozart’s most-performed opera, as you’ve never seen it before. This classic in a Mad-Men-meets-Mozart staging includes a clever cast of characters who prepare for the wedding of a young maid and butler in their employers’ sleek 1960s New York City penthouse.  

Based on a famous French play by Beaumarchais, the opera is the story of how servants Figaro and Susanna succeed in getting married, foiling the efforts of their philandering employer Count Almaviva.  Complications involving love, power and infidelity that modern society still struggles with figure prominently. 

Sung in Italian (with surtitles) and English, this fully staged production features the students in the TU Music for the Stage and TU Symphony Orchestra in Stephens Hall Theatre, April 19–22. Check tuboxoffice.com for performance tickets and times. 

Tenor Chris Fotis, who plays Figaro, and Erica Ferguson, the soprano who plays Countess Almaviva, share leading roles and explained why they think Figaro is one of Mozart’s most popular operas. 

“It has withstood the test of time,” said Fotis. “He showcases timelessly relatable circumstances with timelessly relatable characters.”   

“Everything about Le Nozze di Figaro was based on rebellion,” added Ferguson. “The play it is adapted from was banned in France for its portrayal of nobility being outsmarted by their servants. Not only is this a social revolution, there are also many feminist tones to the story.”  

Mozart may have been ahead of his time. The Marriage of Figaro is a comedy with gorgeous music and wacky characters—a perfect recipe for success. 

Figaro is an orphan and valet to the count. A happy-go-lucky problem solver and a gentleman who cares about the women in his life, he is deeply devoted to his fiancée, Susanna.    

“I always thought that I wanted to portray the count because I knew his aria,” Fotis said. “Upon being cast as Figaro, so many professors assured me that he was a great character for me in so many ways because he and I are very similar. Figaro is an honest man, with a wealth of integrity and empathy. He thinks on his feet, innovates and tries very hard to find a means to resolution with any conflict that arises.”  

Ferguson, who plays Countess Almaviva (called Rosina Vanderfeller in TU’s production), is the wife of Count Almaviva, a Don Draper-type character known as Carl Vanderfeller.  

“Her story is one that many people can relate to; loving someone who treats you wrong and feeling trapped in an emotionally or physically abusive relationship. It's tragic, but it's real,” Ferguson said about her character.  

“What's so amazing about Rosina is her persistence. She never gives up on what she wants and deserves. She knows her self-worth and strives toward the bliss of her past within her marriage.”   

Fotis and Ferguson agree that performing opera is larger than life: telling someone’s story, conveying emotions and working with an art form that has an impact.    

Part of their enthusiasm comes from their shared experiences in the TU Department of Music.  

“The best thing about the department is the high level of community support, which spans sectors,” said Fotis. “The department is filled with high-quality faculty members who want the best for their students. They are experts in their fields, but what makes the key difference is that they put their hearts into educating and inspiring students.”  

Ferguson felt the same.

“The TU Department of Music has been a family to me since my freshman year,” she added. “I always felt that the voice faculty believed in me and wanted to see me succeed.”    

The department provides performing opportunities for undergraduate students through operas, opera scenes, children’s outreach operas, choirs and in collaboration with guitar and percussion departments. 

“You can't get that kind of stage time in many undergraduate voice programs,” Ferguson added. “Towson is truly a special place for cultivating young, talented musicians.”  

Ferguson and Fotis are vocal performance majors who will graduate this semester. Both plan to continue their music educations with hopes of performing, including careers in opera.   

“That’s the dream,” Ferguson said.