Image Up Advertising & Design

42 FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | JANUARY 2026 On Jan. 9 and 16, we present Mozart's Le nozze di Figaro and the classic 19th century ballet, Giselle. Le nozze di Figaro premiered in Vienna in 1786. Mozart and his librettist Lorenzo Da Ponte had to pass muster with the Austrian censors. e story upon which it is based is a Pierre Beaumarchais play, La folle journée. e play criticizes the behavior of upper- class rulers and was banned by the Austrian Emperor (brother of Marie Antoinette). You may recall the scene in the film Amadeus where Mozart begs for the emperor's indulgence – "Cinque, … dieci … venti …". Mozart prevailed to the benefit of us all, as it is one of the most beloved of all his works. Our production is from the 1994 Glyndebourne opera festival and features baritone Gerald Finley as Figaro, Alison Hagley as Susana, Renée Fleming as the countess Almaviva, Andreas Schmidt as the count Almaviva and Marie-Ange Todorovitch as Cherubino. A recap of the storyline will begin at 5:30 pm, followed by the opera. e opera runs three hours and 10 minutes. We will have a 10-minute intermission at the 90-minute mark. Our ballet presentation is Giselle, the pinnacle of Romantic era ballet. It premiered in 1841 in Paris. e music is by Adolphe Adam with original choreography by Coralli and Perrot, but reworked by Marius Petipas in the late 1800s. It is the Petipas choreography that is performed today. e story follows a beautiful peasant girl who is deceived by a disguised nobleman, Albrecht. Albrecht woos Giselle and wins her love. It is later revealed that he is already engaged to marry Bathilde. In fitful heartbreak, she dances herself to death. Later that night, Albrecht visits Giselle's grave to beg her forgiveness and is set upon by the Willis (demonic spirits of deceived maidens), but Giselle's love for Albrecht saves him from being danced to his death. Her saving Albrecht also breaks the power of the Willis to haunt and control any one else. In the ballet's finale, Giselle returns to her grave to rest in peace. e ballet runs about two hours. We will begin at 6 pm with a synopsis. We won't have an intermission. Seat reservations are advised and may be requested via email to the address below. See you at the eater! ~ Harvey Toyama, admin@fsbopera.org, (951) 524-3765 Opera Club Giselle - Royal Danish Ballet Glyndebourne Le Nozze di Figaro

• Cover