Le nozze di Figaro
A brilliant Mozart comic opera replete with disguises and crazy twists and turns
Basic information
The Estates Theatre
Approximate running time3 hours 15 minutes, 1 intermission (20 minutes) minutes
LanguageIn Italian, surtitles in Czech, English
PremiereFebruary 1, 2018
Female view of the forms and transformations of love, infidelity and jealousy
One of Mozart’s best-known works, Le nozze di Figaro ranks among the most frequently performed operas of all time. Splendidly portraying characters and superbly depicting the relationships between the protagonists, who often find themselves in thorny situations, it provides a more accurate account of late 18th-century morality and immorality than many a history book.
Cast
- 2024-2025
Creatives
About
National Theatre Chorus
National Theatre Orchestra
Although Le nozze di Figaro is today one of the most frequently staged operas, its genesis was hindered by numerous problems and obstacles. The work gave rise to heated emotions from the very beginning of its creation. The libretto is based on the French dramatist Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais’s comedy La Folle Journée, ou Le Mariage de Figaro, a witty satire dealing with explosive social subjects, which was banned by Louis XVI, as well as, later on, by Joseph II, the new Holy Roman Emperor. Yet the censors did not prohibit the play’s adaptation as a libretto, and hence Mozart and Lorenzo da Ponte could use it for an opera. Le nozze di Figaro premiered in Vienna on 1 May 1786, with Mozart only completing the prelude two days previously.The first two performances were conducted by the composer himself, seated at and playing the harpsichord. Six months later, the opera was staged in Prague, where it was a resounding success, with the audience responding with enormous ovations. In the wake of this triumph, Mozart accepted from Prague a commission for a new opera, which would become the famous Don Giovanni (premiered in 1787 at the Estates Theatre).
Magdalena Švecová is the very first woman in the history of the National Theatre in Prague to stage Le nozze di Figaro, thus presenting a female view of the forms and transformations of love, infidelity and jealousy, in what is the title’s 20th National Theatre Opera production.
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Practical information
Where to buy tickets
The National Theatre sells tickets up to 6 months in advance. We are currently selling tickets for performances of Drama, Ballet, Opera and Laterna magika taking place in November 2024 – April 2025.
When purchasing online, you can get an e-ticket. You can pick up printed tickets in person at the box offices of the National Theatre.
What to wear?
By their appearance, attire and behaviour, the audience is obliged to adhere to the accustomed practice expected from them when attending a theatre performance.
Parking at the Estates Theatre
Unfortunately, there is no parking near The Estates Theater. You can use the guarded parking lot in the Kotva shopping center (Revoluční 1/655, Prague 1) and Paladium (Na Poříčí 1079 / 3a, Prague 1).
Buffets at the Estates Theater
No waiting. For your benefit, please pre-order your food and beverages at the bar to minimize waiting in the queue!
Menu (PDF, 60 kB)