The Ghosts of Versailles

What happened to Figaro and his friends after the events told in Rossini’s and Mozart’s operas? One possible sequel is told in John Corigliano’s “grand opera buffa” The Ghosts of Versailles—an uproariously funny and deeply moving work inspired by Beaumarchais’s third Figaro play, La Mère Coupable, and commissioned by the Met to celebrate its 100th anniversary. This telecast captures its world premiere run, conducted by James Levine. Håkan Hagegård is Beaumarchais, Figaro’s creator, who is deeply in love with Marie Antoinette (Teresa Stratas in a heart-searing performance) and determined to rewrite history and save her from the guillotine. A young Renée Fleming, at the beginning of her international career, sings the unfaithful Rosina. Gino Quilico is the wily Figaro who tries to take matters in his own hands, and Marilyn Horne stops the show as the exotic entertainer Samira.

Country:

United States of America

Genre:

Music

Duration:

180 minutes

Year:

1992

Director:

Brian Large

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Company:

The Metropolitan Opera

Cast:
Teresa Stratas

Marie Antoinette

Håkan Hagegård

Beaumarchais

Gino Quilico

Figaro

Renée Fleming

Rosina

Marilyn Horne

Samira

Crew:
James Levine

Conductor

William M. Hoffman

Writer

John Corigliano

Original Music Composer

Jay David Saks

Music Producer

Magda Szayer

Wig Designer