Access Opera: The Marriage of Figaro

Austin Opera’s 2021–2022 Season opens at the Long Center in November with Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro. This inventive and stylish period production from Lyric Opera of Kansas City tells an upstairs/downstairs story of love, lust, seduction, infidelity, and—ultimately—forgiveness, all set to some of the most sublime and memorable music ever written.

Go to https://austinopera.org/education/access-opera/ to make a reservation for ACCESS OPERA: The Marriage of Figaro final dress rehearsal and to read more about our updated safety protocols for all attendees.

welcome to "the marriage of figaro" education resources page!

Check out the materials below to experience Mozart’s musical masterpiece and engage with the exciting world of opera! Many of the resources here can easily be included in Blended Learning classrooms. If you have questions, or don’t find what you are looking for, we can help! Contact us at derck@austinopera.org.

access opera: the marriage of figaro curriculum

Austin Opera’s Access Opera: The Marriage of Figaro curriculum is an innovative multi-media based unit, complete with TEKS aligned lessons, activities, assessments and video excerpts. This curriculum is designed so you can teach The Marriage of Figaro in the time frame that works best for you and your students. Designate an entire class period and share the complete lesson using the accompanying PowerPoint. Teach it in chunks. Include activities in your favorite blended learning model.

Sample timeline:

Day 1 – Background (composer info, synopsis) and first listen of featured music selection
Day 2 – Listen a 2nd time, including suggested activities/assessments from the lesson in a station rotation or playlist.
Day 3 & beyond – Listen to some of the alternate versions; try a new activity/assessment; explore SEL connection; review Audience Etiquette materials

Access Opera: Figaro unit lesson plan

Access Opera: Figaro PowerPoint with Animated Listening Map

about the opera

The Marriage of Figaro story synopsis

The Marriage of Figaro: At a Glance

Short synopsis and commentary on The Marriage of Figaro
http://opera-synopsis.sakura.ne.jp/englishfigaro.html

NPR: Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro article
https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=11886151

The Marriage of Figaro – Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Marriage_of_Figaro

In a Nutshell | The Marriage of Figaro https://www.operanorth.co.uk/news/the-marriage-of-figaro-in-a-nutshell/

Kiddle.co | The Marriage of Figaro – basic facts for Kids
https://kids.kiddle.co/The_Marriage_of_Figaro

Classic fM | Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro: A Beginner’s Guide
https://www.classicfm.com/composers/mozart/guides/marriage-figaro-synopsis-guide/

Academic Kids Encyclopedia | The Marriage of Figaro
https://academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Le_nozze_di_Figaro

The Kennedy Center | Mozart’s comic masterpiece comes to life through enchanting music and absurd mix-ups – A nice collection of print and video information about the opera, The Marriage of Figaro.
https://www.kennedy-center.org/education/resources-for-educators/classroom-resources/media-and-interactives/media/opera/the-marriage-of-figaro/

about the composer

Britannica | Biography of Mozart
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Wolfgang-Amadeus-Mozart

Google Arts & Culture | Assisted Melody –
https://artsandculture.google.com/experiment/cAGcgh18Zi7DqQ

about austin opera's production

PERFORMANCE NOTES for The Marriage of Figaro

Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Libretto by Lorenzo da Ponte
Text based on Beaumarchais
In Italian with projected English titles
Sets and costumes owned by Lyric Opera of Kansas City
An opera in 4 acts
Approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes in length with one 25-minute intermission

CAST

Go to https://austinopera.org/opera/the-marriage-of-figaro/ and click on the CAST & PRODUCTION tab to learn more about the cast and production team.

audio/video resources

Wiener Symphoniker – great video with close ups of orchestra and instruments.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mp6UAGN_Ir4

Antonio Pappano conducts The Royal Opera House Orchestra
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDlEAAe28WQ

Leonard Bernstein conducts the New York Philharmonic Orchestra
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dsk70zWGZyY

Barenboim conducts the East-West Divan Orchestra
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pb1tlh9xn38

The Underground Youth Orchestra, conducted by Catherine Larsen-Maguire
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9fG1ZauI20

Organ Solo – a glorious video performed and arranged by Jonathan Scott
A GREAT way to show how the various keyboards (including the feet) play different parts, originally performed by instruments in the orchestra.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUT5hG8lgKQ

Blob Opera
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOCcpHJhIk0

Line Riders
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cfz5NAI29T8

Bar graph animated score
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYPDGUZyQ4Y

Boston Cello Quartet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0jaovKBa7U

Marimba Ensemble “Nagoya”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJJHYDxZPxc

Nicolas Baldeyrou and friends play on period instruments
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbEyFehREqU

Bassoon Quartet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tifq4TsVAdk

Audio – U.S. Army Brass Band
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fvgt7FVFiUU

Lonestar Wind Ensemble French Horn Quartet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_v3hFJ0IDiY

Northwest Clarinet Choir
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2OU3hqTS-U

Double Bass excerpt
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hs_mMnMSayU

Guitar – Daniel Coughlin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUL_yV0cOvI

Violin Duet – Duo Divites
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnKP1w3thEk

What is Sonata form? | The Marriage of Figaro: “Overture”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YdsaIu7R1c

Classics for Kids | Mozart’s Operas – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart wrote his first opera when he was twelve, and opera continued to fascinate him throughout his life. Mozart had such genius for combining music and theater that he took opera to a whole new level. No other composer from Mozart’s day still has so many operas performed all over the world.
https://www.classicsforkids.com/shows/shows.php?id=103

FreeSchool Radio recording – The Marriage of Figaro: “Overture”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AinUoaLL_78

Baby Opera | The Marriage of Figaro – featuring a 30 second excerpt from the “Overture”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Og7pJp0Tsqw

Characters You need to Know | The Marriage of Figaro – a one minute introduction to the main characters in the story, accompanied by music from the “Overture.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kz8ZoIo4Zmc

Setting the Scene: Le nozze di Figaro
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DtaSVW0Upo&t=2s

The Figaro Synopsis in 10 seconds
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6UVaJ3JXTo

The Salzburg Marionette Theatre presents The Marriage of Figaro – Pick an excerpt to view from this clever condensed version of the opera with great narration and puppetry. Here are a few popular musical numbers:
2:18 – “Cinque..dieci..venti” – Figaro and Susanna duet

18:56 – “Non so piu” – Cherubino aria

36:48 – “Voi che sapete” – Cherubino aria
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KQdTAUvOzU&t=2210s

Opera Shorts |The Marriage of Figaro: “Overture” – created by students at the Kingston School of Art with the Royal Opera House.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIadtrjS40M

Act 1 with score
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORpaNV9zbr0