Le Nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro)
Directed by Scott Skiba
Associate Director Lauren Lenz
Conducted by Dean Buck
Thursday, March 26, at 8:00pm
Friday, March 27, at 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 28, at 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 29, at 3:00 p.m.
Mainstage Theatre, Kleist Center for Art & Drama

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Lorenzo Da Ponte's operatic masterpiece draws its plot from Beaumarchais' controversial play, "La folle journée, ou le Mariage de Figaro" (The Mad Day, or The Marriage of Figaro).

This play, part of a trilogy, challenged the aristocracy by portraying them negatively while elevating the common people. In Beaumarchais' earlier play, known today through Rossini's opera, "Il Barbiere di Siviglia" (The Barber of Seville), Count Almaviva, under a false identity to avoid the influence of his esteemed title, wishes to have the charming Rosina as his own. Figaro assists Almaviva in winning Rosina from her guardian, Doctor Bartolo. Almaviva reveals his true identity, Bartolo swears to have vengeance, and that part of the trilogy comes to a close.

"Le nozze di Figaro" is the first collaboration between the composer and librettist, and tells the story of the next installment of the trilogy. The plot is filled with mistaken identity, surprise paternity, and intrigue, as the servants Figaro and Susanna triumph in marriage while comically thwarting the attempts of the philandering Count Almaviva to seduce Susanna.

Central to "The Marriage of Figaro" is the "droit du seigneur," a supposed feudal right granting the lord of the manor the first night with a servant's bride. As "The Marriage of Figaro" begins, the Count has ostensibly renounced this right. However, as Figaro prepares to marry Susanna, the Countess's servant, Almaviva attempts to reinstate this feudal right to pursue her.

The opera highlights how the entitled and emotionally immature Count Almaviva will stop at nothing to get his own way. With the help of his once sworn enemies (now turned corrupt political allies and lap dogs), the Count pulls out all the stops in an effort to get his own way.

His zany schemes include elevating unqualified low-level employees to military posts, silencing past transgressions with young female employees through political bribery, hypocritically following judicial rulings that serve his political and personal gain while overturning or ignoring other judicial rulings that do not suit his desires, and even firing employees in his own government who fail to deliver the legal and political outcome he seeks. All in self-serving megalomaniac behaviour to settle the score of personal and political betrayals and to satisfy his power lust. Ultimately, the Count is outwitted by his clever subordinates, as Susanna and Figaro devise an ingenious plan to thwart him and secure their marriage.

The characters in this opera embody our shared humanity, expressing a spectrum of intense emotions: love, lust, jealousy, greed, revenge, nostalgia, and ultimately, forgiveness. Mozart and DaPonte are masters of moving seamlessly between farcical moments that are painted with a broad brush and intricately detailed moments of poignant delicacy.

The farcical nature of the plot softens Beaumarchais' intense satirical barbs against the Pre-Revolutionary French aristocratic reign and embodies the revolutionary spirit of Pierre Beaumarchais.

Our production features a spectacular Art Deco design, an aesthetic and style that complement the opera's revolutionary theme of the "lower class" outsmarting the "upper class." This iconic setting evokes and honors the revolutionary spirit of Beaumarchais' original play. The opera's enduring message—that all individuals deserve equal rights and treatment under the law—remains as powerful and pertinent today as it was in 1786 when the opera was composed.

Run time: 2 hours and 30 minutes with 1 Intermission

Concerto Countdown Chamber Orchestra
Ampersand Vocal Ensemble
Dirk Garner, conductor
Friday, April 17, 7:00 p.m.
Gamble Auditorium, Kulas Musical Arts Building

This evening’s program features Bach’s brilliant concerti for four, three, and two harpsichords—all performed on a single concert with alumni and guest soloists. Because of their unusual scoring for multiple keyboards, these works are rarely heard in live performance, making this an extraordinary opportunity. Between the concerti, the vocal ensemble Ampersand—founded and directed by Baldwin Wallace alumna Madeline Healey—presents works drawn from the holdings of the Riemenschneider Bach Institute. Some of this music may not have been performed since its original debut over 300 years ago, offering audiences a truly historic and inspiring listening experience.

Mass in G Minor & Magnificat, J.S. Bach ($)
Bach Festival Orchestra
BW Motet Choir
Dirk Garner, conductor
Saturday, April 18, 7:00 p.m.
Gamble Auditorium, Kulas Musical Arts Building

In addition to the monumental Mass in B Minor—perhaps Bach’s most famous work—he also composed four shorter masses, often called the Kyrie–Gloria Masses. Though performed less frequently, these works are masterful in their own right. This year’s Festival features the Mass in G Minor, performed by the BW Motet Choir, Orchestra, and guest soloist—marking the work’s first appearance at the BW Bach Festival. Closing the 2026 Festival is Bach’s brilliant Magnificat, often described as a “mini Mass in B Minor” for its epic design and expressive power, it remains one of Bach’s greatest and most beloved choral works.

BW WOMEN'S CHORUS AND MEN'S CHORUS
Lisa Miragliotta & Devon Steve, Conductors
Sunday, April 26, at 2:00 p.m.
Gamble Auditorium, Kulas Musical Arts Building

The Baldwin Wallace Men's and Women's Choruses will be collaborating to present Elaine Hagenberg's "Illuminare," her first extended work.

As the composer states, "It consists of five movements for SATB chorus and chamber orchestra. Using lesser-known sacred Latin, Greek, and English texts, the piece takes us through a season of beauty and goodness that has been disrupted by darkness and confusion. But as Light gradually returns, hope is restored, illuminating our future and guiding us in peace."

The program will also feature other well-known works by Hagenberg, alongside a short concert set presented by the BW Men’s Chorus.

We hope you will join us for this extraordinary collaboration!

BFA ACTING SENIOR SHOWCASE
Saturday, May 2nd, 2026 at 7:30
Mainstage Theatre, Kleist Center for Art & Drama

Join the BW BFA Acting Class of 2026 for their one-night-only, original showcase. Following the performance will be a reception, photo opportunity, and meet-and-greet with the actors in the lobby.

Learn more at bwbfashowcase.com and @bwbfaseniorshowcase on all platforms.