Mozart's great comic opera is a tale of intrigue, misunderstanding and forgiveness. Director Lydia Steier teases out the touching melancholy of the characters with the mixture of opulence and black humour.

Displayed like couples from a faded era, the opera's staff stands in front of the black stage curtain in historical rococo costumes. Have those who love each other found each other here, or only those who belong together or should be together because of class or financial circumstances? Director Lydia Steier puts Susanna, Figaro's bride, centre stage.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Libretto by Lorenzo da Ponte

Sarah Brady, Susanna
Richard Walshe, Figaro
Germán Olvera, Count Almaviva
Kiandra Howarth, Countess Almaviva
Nina van Essen, Cherubina
Iris van Wijnen, Maracellina
Daniel Eggert, Bartolo
Philipp Kapeller, Basilio
Peter OÄreilly, Don curzio
Petra Radulovic, Barbarina
Frank Schneidres, Antonio

Chor der Staatsoper Hannover
Chorus Master: Lorenzo Da Rio
Niedersächsisches Staatsorchester Hannover
Giulio Cilona, conductor

Lydia Steier, stage director
Momme Hinrichs, set & video design
Alfred Mayerhofer, costume design
Elana Siberski, lighting design
Martin Mutschler, dramaturge