The Marriage of Figaro in a nutshell
Tickets are selling fast for Opera North’s The Marriage of Figaro. Find out everything you need to know about Mozart’s much-loved comedy in one place – right here! Hear from singer Hera Hyesang Park about her Opera North debut, find out where you’ve heard Mozart’s score before and watch clips to get excited for this brand-new production.
Written by Guest Author
In conversation with … Hera Hyesang Park
As Opera North’s new production of Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro opens on the Leeds Grand Theatre stage, we caught up with Hera Hyesang Park who is making her Opera North debut as part of the young international cast.
Hera is singing Susanna, the savvy lady-in-waiting to the long-suffering Countess Almaviva. The opera opens on what should be the day of her wedding – but tying the knot is by no means assured when the Count has his eye on you and your fiancé has a rather large debt to pay. Will Susanna get her fairytale ending?
What inspired you to become an opera singer?
Opera attracted me because it allows emotions to be fully expressed without limits. Through music and the human voice, I found a way to communicate feelings that words alone can’t capture. Over time, singing opera became for me not just a passion but a necessity.
Do you remember when you first saw The Marriage of Figaro?
Yes, very clearly. I was immediately drawn to the energy of the piece. It felt fresh, witty and incredibly human. The story moved so quickly, and every character had a distinct personality. It was impossible not to be engaged.
What do you love most about the piece?
I love how cleverly it blends comedy with emotional truth. Beneath the humour, there’s a sharp commentary on relationships, power and social class. Mozart’s music also captures every nuance perfectly, making the opera both entertaining and deeply meaningful.
Hera Hyesang Park as Susanna in The Marriage of Figaro. Credit Tristram Kenton.
Tell us a little about the character you’re playing
Susanna is intelligent, quick-witted and emotionally grounded. She’s often the smartest person in the room, navigating complex situations with humour and grace. What I love about her is her strength. She remains kind and playful but is never naive. She truly drives the story forward.
What can people expect if they’ve never seen this opera before, and why is it a good choice for anyone new to opera?
Good question! They can expect a lively, engaging experience filled with beautiful music and relatable characters.
The Marriage of Figaro is an ideal introduction to opera because it’s accessible, funny and emotionally rich. It shows how opera can be joyful, clever and surprisingly modern. And we are pouring our love into it, so I am sure it’s going to be a wonderful experience.
Hera Hyesang Park as Susanna and James Newby as Count Almaviva in The Marriage of Figaro. Credit Tristram Kenton.
Who’s who
Katherine Broderick as Marcellina, Hera Hyesang Park as Susanna and Gabriella Reyes as Countess Almaviva in The Marriage of Figaro. Credit Tristram Kenton.
In Louisa Muller’s new production of The Marriage of Figaro, the scene is set in a modern rural pile which has become more of a liability than an asset: think wellies, tweeds and a penchant for horse-riding. Meet some of the key characters who navigate the twists, turns – and wrecked hydrangeas – of Mozart’s comic opera.
You can also take the quiz to find out which character is more like you!
Where you’ve heard it before
Gabriella Reyes as Countess Almaviva and James Newby as Count Almaviva in The Marriage of Figaro. Credit Tristram Kenton.
Think you don’t know any opera? There’s a good chance you’ve come across Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro — which is packed full of absolute bangers — and didn’t even realise…
From classic beloved films such as The Shawshank Redemption and The King’s Speech, to current TV series such as Emily in Paris and Amadeus, music from The Marriage of Figaro has regularly been used for scores on screen.
Sneak peeks
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Until Fri 20 February 2026
Mozart’s comic masterpiece is a match made in mayhem!
It’s supposed to be the happiest day of Figaro and Susanna’s lives, but this is opera, so there’s plenty of time for some plot twists before they say ‘I do’. With Count Almaviva looking set to make a move on the bride-to-be, the young couple must hatch a shrewd plan to secure their happy ending. Cue a whirlwind of secret scheming and surprise revelations.
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