From a visionary production and nearly 90 years of history at San Francisco Opera to the artists bringing Mozart's beloved characters to life, we're excited to take you behind the curtain to discover what it takes to bring one of opera's greatest masterpieces to the stage.

First performed in 1786, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro has captivated audiences for nearly 240 years with its brilliant music, sharp humor, and timeless exploration of love, jealousy, power, and human relationships. But what does it take to bring a masterpiece like this to life today? How do you honor the vision of a composer who lived centuries ago while creating something that speaks to modern audiences?

To find out, we went behind the curtain at San Francisco Opera, exploring the iconic War Memorial Opera House, stepping onto the set, visiting the costume and wig departments, and uncovering nearly a century of the company's history with this celebrated opera. Along the way, we met the directors, performers, and artistic leaders whose creativity, dedication, and collaboration bring Mozart's masterpiece to life.

A Timeless Story Through a New Lens

At the heart of every opera production is a creative vision that shapes how audiences experience the story. For San Francisco Opera's The Marriage of Figaro, that vision began in 2019 with an ambitious concept developed by General Director Matthew Shilvock and the late director Michael Cavanagh: what if Mozart's three operas written with librettist Lorenzo Da Ponte could all unfold in the same location, but across different periods of American history?

In this trilogy, The Marriage of Figaro takes place around the founding of the United States, Così fan tutte moves into the 1930s, and Don Giovanni looks toward the future.

For this revival, Shawna Lucey carries forward Cavanagh's vision, a particularly meaningful opportunity given their close artistic connection. "I was very fortunate to work with Michael Cavanagh," she shared. "Michael was an incredibly generous artist who, like myself, loves the music, loves the storytelling, loves collaborating with the artists in the room."

We joined Shawna onstage for a tour of the elaborate set, where she shared how its design helps tell the story and how this interpretation brings new perspective to Mozart's exploration of class, power, and human relationships. Beyond the historical setting, Shawna also reflected on the emotional heart of the opera and how love connects its moments of humor and heartbreak. As she described it, the story explores "how the power of love is what both unites the laughter and the tears."

And while audiences experience the finished performance onstage, Shawna reminded us that bringing a production of this scale to life is an extraordinary collective effort. From the artists and musicians to the production crews and front-of-house teams, every person plays a part in creating the experience. As she beautifully put it, "It's a testament to the power of what happens when we work together."

A Dream Role Comes to Life: Meet Soprano Olivia Smith

For soprano Olivia Smith, making her San Francisco Opera debut as the Countess in The Marriage of Figaro is a special homecoming. Having completed both the Merola Opera Program and the company's prestigious Adler Fellowship, Olivia is returning to a place that played an important role in her artistic development. As she shared, "It feels incredible to come back to such an incredible company that feels like home."

But what makes this debut even more meaningful is Olivia's personal history with Mozart's masterpiece. Not only was The Marriage of Figaro the first opera she ever experienced as an audience member, but it was also the first opera she performed in, singing the role of Barbarina. "The first time I ever heard the Countess open her mouth and sing Porgi amor, I turned to the person I was with and I said, 'When can I sing that?'" Olivia recalled. Now, years later, she's stepping into the very role that first inspired her, bringing her journey full circle.

We joined Olivia beneath the stage of the War Memorial Opera House in the wig and hair department to explore how she prepares to bring the Countess to life. While Mozart's beloved character navigates the heartbreak of her husband's infidelity, Olivia sees a woman whose strength comes from her compassion, self-awareness, and determination to honor her own feelings.

"I really admire in her this way that she sees the best in people," she explained, adding that there's something "really beautiful and empowering" about the Countess's ability to remain connected to herself. For Olivia, this production also creates meaningful opportunities for its female characters to make their own choices and shape their stories.

Nearly 90 Years of The Marriage of Figaro at San Francisco Opera

With more than a century of performances and some of the world's most celebrated artists having graced its stage, San Francisco Opera has an incredible history to explore. And during our visit to the company's archives, we uncovered a fascinating piece of that history: Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro was actually the very first Mozart opera ever performed by San Francisco Opera! 

We joined Matthew Shilvock, General Director of San Francisco Opera, for a journey through the company's archives, where photographs, programs, and historical records reveal the generations of artists who have brought this masterpiece to life. Among them was legendary Italian bass Ezio Pinza, who portrayed Figaro in that inaugural 1936 production and later became famous for originating the role of Emile de Becque in Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific on Broadway.

As we explored these materials, Matthew shared stories of the celebrated performers who have graced the company's stage and how their interpretations have contributed to the opera's enduring legacy. While Mozart's music has remained unchanged, each generation of artists brings their own perspective to the characters, allowing audiences to experience this beloved work in new ways.

For Matthew, these archives represent something much more meaningful than a record of past performances. "I love looking into the archives of San Francisco Opera because it always gives me this incredible sense of respect and admiration for this legacy that we now get to carry forward," he shared.

It's a reminder that every new production becomes part of a much larger artistic history, connecting the performers and audiences of today with those who came before them.

When Art Imitates Life: Meet the Real-Life Couple Playing Figaro and Susanna

At the heart of Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro is a couple preparing for their wedding, but as you might expect, their journey to the altar is anything but simple!

Between romantic complications, mistaken identities, and plenty of clever schemes, Figaro and Susanna must navigate a whirlwind of challenges before they can finally say "I do." And this season at San Francisco Opera, there's a particularly fun twist: the artists portraying Figaro and Susanna are actually married in real life!

We joined bass-baritone Peter Kellner and soprano Slávka Zámečníková beneath the War Memorial Opera House in the costume department to explore their characters and what it's like performing together as husband and wife. Slávka shared that their existing connection brings a sense of ease to their performances, while Peter explained, "We have this chemistry, and it actually just brings something genuine. It's really natural." He also sees much of himself in Figaro, sharing with a laugh, "I'm a worker. I get things done!"

But one of the most moving moments of our conversation came when Slávka revealed that she originally dreamed of becoming a doctor because she wanted to help people. Although she loved singing, she never imagined it could make the same kind of difference in someone's life. That changed when she received a heartfelt letter from an audience member who had attended one of her performances during a particularly difficult time. He described how the experience had completely transformed his outlook on life.

"The funny thing is that I wanted to be a doctor when I was younger because I wanted to help somebody," Slávka reflected. "I thought as a singer, I'm not gonna help anybody... But if you look at it from the other side, you heal other souls."

Peter echoed that sentiment, reflecting on the powerful connection between performers and audiences. "What you put in, people can feel it," he shared, explaining that the energy and honesty artists bring to a performance are things audiences can take home with them.

And perhaps that's one of the most meaningful things about experiencing opera. The music, storytelling, and emotions don't simply end when the curtain falls. They stay with us, sometimes changing how we see the world and connect with others.

Why Mozart's Masterpiece Still Matters Today

Nearly 240 years after its premiere, The Marriage of Figaro continues to invite audiences into a world filled with humor, romance, complicated relationships, and questions about power and social expectations. And while the music and story have endured for centuries, the experience of bringing them to the stage continues to evolve.

Through our journey behind the curtain at San Francisco Opera, we discovered that creating a production of this scale takes far more than extraordinary singers and beautiful music. It takes the imagination of directors, the dedication of performers, the craftsmanship of designers and production teams, and the commitment of an opera company honoring its history while looking toward the future.

Perhaps that's what makes masterpieces like The Marriage of Figaro so meaningful. They give us an opportunity to look back on the past, reflect on the world we live in today, and discover something new about ourselves along the way. And with each new generation of artists and audiences, Mozart's masterpiece continues to find new life onstage.

To find out more about what's next for San Francisco Opera, click HERE!