Following up on its 2002 updating of Mozart’s “Cosi fan tutte”—which took place in a singles bar—Chicago Opera Theater now turns its attention to that most perfect of musical comedies, “The Marriage of Figaro.” Conductor Jane Glover and director Diane Paulus are back for their fifth COT collaboration, their best yet. Figaro and his fiancée Susanna now reside in modern-day Miami, a surprisingly effective and clever transposition of the work’s lampooning of 18th-century class relationships. Cell-phone text messaging, pill popping, football fanatics, loud outfits, swaying palm trees and partying the night away stand alongside Mozart’s music quite convincingly, revealing characters that are as sharply drawn and as relevant as ever. Even purists who might be put off by the updates will be so blown away by the first-class singing and the exuberance and immediacy of this stellar young cast that regrets should definitely not be sent. (Dennis Polkow)
“The Marriage of Figaro” plays at the Harris Theater, 205 East Randolph, (312)704-8414 through May 14.
A Second Company's Saga: The Spirited Story of Fifty Years of Chicago Opera Theater Chicago Opera Theater began as a handful of vocal students of company founder Alan Stone. It was formed by Stone to give his students actual performance practice and experience. Stone’s decision to present operas in English was a considerable break with convention back in 1973.
