
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
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
additional resources
Teaching With ORFF | The Marriage of Figaro
https://teachingwithorff.com/marriage-of-figaro/
The Marriage of Figaro Study Guides
San Francisco Opera
https://sfopera.com/discover-opera/education/schools/classroom-materials/marriage-of-figaro/
Florentine Opera
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5d6818d6bcb923000103101a/t/5db08cc333f5d779380c4da3/1571851461706/Figaro-web-guide.pdf
Minnesota Opera
https://mnopera.org/wp-content/uploads/transfer/ed/Figaro%20Guide.pdf
Manitoba Opera
https://mbopera.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Marriage-of-Figaro-Study-Guide.pdf
Boston Lyric Opera
https://issuu.com/bostonlyricopera/docs/figaro_study_guide_1617season_mk_f
Pittsburgh Opera
https://www.pittsburghopera.org/uploads/Study_Guide_for_The_Marriage_of_Figaro.pdf
Toledo Opera
http://www.toledoopera.org/clientuploads/documents/Student%20Night/Figaro%20Study%20Guide.pdf
Calgary Opera
https://studylib.net/doc/9092650/marriage-of-figaro-study-guide
Gradesaver.com | The Marriage of Figaro
https://www.gradesaver.com/the-marriage-of-figaro