Word: count
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: during 1990-1999
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
Certainly the plot of "The Marriage of Figaro" requires a tongue-in-cheek approach; on paper, it is the kind of convoluted intrigue that gives opera a bad name. Figaro (Brian Saccente), valet to the Count Almaviva (Josh Benaim), is about to marry his sweetheart Susanna (Sarita Cannon), but the Count also has his eye on her. Although the Count has abolished the droit du seigneur, which traditionally allowed the lord to deflower any bride on her wedding night, he is tempted to revive it in Susanna's case. Though a philanderer, the Count is fanatically suspicious of his innocent...
...things weren't complicated enough, Figaro has another enemy to deal with: the old spinster Marcellina (Jennifer Little), who has loaned him money on the condition that he marry her if he can't pay it back. The Count seizes on Marcellina's claim as a way of delaying Figaro's marriage, giving the Count more time to woo Susanna...
Also in the mix are Bartolo (Dave Collins), Marcellina's lawyer, who has a personal grudge against Figaro, and Basilio (Jerry Shuman), the castle's unctuous music master, who acts as messenger between Susanna and the Count...
Every character gets a solo aria or two to set out his or her essential nature: Figaro is clever and good-hearted, the Countess is heart-broken, the Count is imperious, Cherubino is perpetually lovesick. Almost without exception, this cast handles the famous arias beautifully Saccente has a strong voice and stage presence, and none of Figaro's comic nuances escape him; he is excellent in the patter of 'Aprite un po, Figaro's attack on female infidelity, and in the touching final duet with Susanna. Benaim, as the Count, has perhaps the most pleasing voice in the cast, combining...
...claims that an early election is appropriate, since he was not elected, but simply stepped into his position after Rabin's assassination. Peres may be doing some canny political maneuvering of his own, however. Since the Syrians will not come to the negotiating table before October, Peres cannot count on the wave of support a fresh peace agreement would give him. In order to win the election, Peres must take advantage of his current high standing. Time's Johanna McGeary says "Another peace deal would make Peres a shoo-in. Now that Peres can not guarantee the Syrian deal...