The Abduction of Figaro
# The Abduction of Figaro

The Abduction of Figaro is a comic opera in three acts, described as "A Simply Grand Opera by P. D. Q. Bach", by Peter Schickele. It is a parody of opera in general, and the title is a play on two operas by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: The Abduction from the Seraglio, K. 384, and The Marriage of Figaro, K. 492. Those two operas, as well as Così fan tutte and Don Giovanni, and Gilbert and Sullivan's The Pirates of Penzance are among the core inspirations for the piece. The Abduction of Figaro is numbered S. 384, 492 in Schickele's catalogue of works.

Schickele was commissioned to "discover" this opera by the Minnesota Opera, where the piece premiered on April 27 and 28, 1984. In addition to parodying Mozart, the music incorporates diverse influences and musical quotes, from traditional camp songs like "Found a Peanut" to popular songs like "Macho Man" by the Village People. The opera has been released on VHS and DVD.

## Roles

Roles, voice types, premiere cast :

| Role | Voice type | Premiere cast, 27 April 1984 Conductor of chorus, corpse de ballet, orchestra of the Minnesota Opera, the whole schmeer: Peter Schickele |
| - | - | - |
| Al Donfonso, Pasha Shaboom, Papa Geno | bass | Leroy Lehr |
| Susanna Susannadanna, Mama Geno | mezzo-soprano | Dana Krueger |
| Pecadillo | tenor | Bruce Edwin Ford |
| Donna Donna | soprano | Marilyn Brustadt |
| Blondie | soprano | Lisbeth Lloyd |
| Donald Giovanni | bass-baritone | Michael Burt |
| Schlepporello | almost-a-baritone | Jack Walsh |
| Captain Kadd | basso | Will Roy |
| Opec | bargain counter tenor | John Ferrante |
| Figaro | silent | Arthur Kaemmer |
| Stage Director | Stage Director | Michael Montel |
| Choreographer | Choreographer | Larry Hayden |
| Set Designer | Set Designer | John Lee Beatty |
| Costume Designer | Costume Designer | Gail Bakkom |
| Wig & Make-up Master | Wig & Make-up Master | Richard Stead |
| Lighting Designer | Lighting Designer | Ruth Roberts |
| Video Editor | Video Editor | Daniel Mercure |
| Television Director | Television Director | Kaye S. Lavine |
| Television Producer | Television Producer | Stephen Schmidt |
| The theme to Culture on Parade is performed by the London Serpent Trio. |||

## Synopsis of scenes

1. Introductory remarks by Prof. Peter Schickele 2. Opening credits 3. Overture Act 1: A town on the seacoast of Spain or Italy or somewhere Scene 1: Figaro's bedroom in the palace of Count Almamater 4. Introduction: "Found a peanut!" 5. Recitative: "Ah, dear husband"  Aria: "Stay with me" 6. Recitative: "Suzanna" 7. Recitative: "Dog!"  Aria: "Perfidy, thy name is Donald" 8. Recitative: "I am distraught" 9. Quartet: "Love is gone" Scene 2: A courtyard of the palace 10. Recitative: "Well, here we are" 11. Aria: "Behold, fair maiden" 12. Recitative: "Just a moment"  Duet: "Thy lofty tree" Scene 3: Figaro's bedroom 13. Recitative: "And here is my husband" 14. Recitative: "Hold it!"  Aria: "My name is Captain Kadd" 15. Recitative: "Now that you've heard" 16. Sextet: "What a downer!" Scene 4: The courtyard 17. Recitative: "Schlepporello"  Aria: "No man" Scene 5: At the dock 18. Recitative: "What a strange turn of events" 19. Quintet and chorus: "Ah, though we must part" 20. Act 1 finale

21. Introduction to act 2 Act 2: Somewhere in the Turkish Empire Scene 1: At the seashore 22. Duet: "God be praised" Scene 2: In front of the Pasha's palace 23. Aria: "Fish gotta swim" 24. Chorus: "Hey, make way" 25. Dance of the Seven Pails 26. Recitative: "Your immenseness" 27. Duet, chorus, and dialogue: "Who is the highest" 28. Quartet: "May I introduce" Scene 3: A courtyard of the palace 29. Dialogue and recitative: "Why?"  Aria and dialogue: "Macho, macho" 30. Cavatina and dialogue: "You can beat me" 31. Act 2 finale

Act 3: A tropical forest 32. Ballet 33. Trio and dialogue: "A magic forest" 34. Duet and dialogue: "I am a swineherd" 35. Finale (part 1) and dialogue 36. Aria and dialogue: "Why, oh why" 37. Finale (part 2) 38. Curtain calls and closing credits 39. Closing remarks by Prof. Schickele

DVD bonus tracks

* Excerpts from the Gross Concerto for Divers Flutes and Orchestra, S. −2
* Professor Peter Schickele in conversation with Gordon Hunt
