The Abduction of Figaro
The Abduction of Figaro is a comic opera, described as "A Simply Grand Opera by P. D. Q. Bach", which is actually the work of composer Peter Schickele. It is a parody of opera in general, and the title is a play on two operas by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: The Abduction from the Seraglio and The Marriage of Figaro. Those two operas, Così fan tutte and Don Giovanni, as well as Gilbert and Sullivan's The Pirates of Penzance are among the core inspirations for the piece.
Schickele was commissioned to "discover" this opera by the Minnesota Opera, where the piece premiered on April 27 and 28, 1984.[1] In addition to parodying Mozart, the music incorporates diverse influences and musical quotes, from traditional camp songs like "Found a Peanut" to popular songs like "Macho Man" by the Village People. The opera has been released on VHS and DVD.
Roles
| Role | Voice type | Premiere cast, 27 April 1984 (Conductor of Chorus, Corpse de Ballet, Orchestra of the Minnesota Opera, the Whole Schmeer: Peter Schickele) |
|---|---|---|
| Al Donfonso, Pasha Shaboom, Papa Geno | bass | Leroy Lehr |
| Susanna Susannadanna, Mama Geno | mezzo-soprano | Dana Krueger |
| Pecadillo | tenor | Bruce Edwin Ford |
| Donna Donna | soprano | Marilyn Brustadt |
| Blondie | soprano | Lisbeth Lloyd |
| Donald Giovanni | bass-baritone | Michael Burt |
| Schlepporello | almost-a-baritone | Jack Walsh |
| Captain Kadd | basso | Will Roy |
| Opec | bargain counter tenor | John Ferrante |
| Stage Director | Michael Montel | |
| Choreographer | Larry Hayden | |
| Set Designer | John Lee Beatty | |
| Costume Designer | Gail Bakkom | |
| Wig & Make-up Master | Richard Stead | |
| Lighting Designer | Ruth Roberts | |
| Video Editor | Daniel Mercure | |
| Television Director | Kaye S. Lavine | |
| Television Producer | Stephen Schmidt | |
| The theme to Culture On Parade is performed by the London Serpent Trio. | ||
Synopsis of scenes
- Introductory remarks by Prof. Peter Schickele
- Opening credits
- Overture
- Act One: A town on the seacoast of Spain or Italy or somewhere
Scene One: Figaro's bedroom in the palace of Count Almamater
- Introduction: "Found a peanut!"
- Recitative: "Ah, dear husband"
- Aria: "Stay with me"
- Recitative: "Suzanna"
- Recitative: "Dog!"
- Aria: "Perfidy, thy name is Donald"
- Recitative: "I am distraught"
- Quartet: "Love is gone"
Scene Two: A courtyard of the palace
- Recitative: "Well, here we are"
- Aria: "Behold, fair maiden"
- Recitative: "Just a moment"
- Duet: "Thy lofty tree"
Scene Three: Figaro's bedroom
- "And here is my husband"
- Recitative: "Hold it!"
- "My name is Captain Kadd"
- Recitative: "Now that you've heard"
- Sextet: "What a downer!"
Scene Four: The courtyard
- Recitative: "Schlepporello"
- Aria: "No man"
Scene Five: At the dock
- Recitative: "What a strange turn of events"
- Quintet and chorus: "Ah, though we must part"
- Act One Finale
- Intermission
- Introduction to Act Two
- Act Two: Somewhere in the Turkish Empire
Scene One: At the seashore
- Duet: "God be praised"
Scene Two: In front of the Pasha's palace
- Aria: "Fish gotta swim"
- Chorus: "Hey, make way"
- Dance of the Seven Pails
- Recitative: "Your immenseness"
- Duet, chorus, and dialogue: "Who is the highest"
- Quartet: "May I introduce"
Scene Three: A courtyard of the palace
- Dialogue and recitative: "Why?"
- Aria and dialogue: "Macho, macho"
- Cavatina and dialogue: "You can beat me"
- Act Two Finale
- Act Three: A tropical forest
- Ballet
- Trio and dialogue: "A magic forest"
- Duet and dialogue: "I am a swineherd"
- Finale (Part I) and dialogue
- Aria and dialogue: "Why, oh why"
- Finale (Part II)
- Curtain calls and closing credits
- Closing remarks by Prof. Schickele
DVD Bonus Selections
- Excerpts from the Gross Concerto No. 1 for Divers Flutes, Two Trumpets, and Strings, S. −2 (P.D.Q. Bach)
- Professor Peter Schickele in conversation with Gordon Hunt
References
- John Rockwell (30 April 1984). "Peter Schickele's Abduction of Figaro". New York Times. Retrieved 21 September 2007.