Written in 1786, Mozart's opera of the thirtieth century has been fascinating for almost half a century, both for its brilliant music and for one of the best librettos in the history of opera, written by the Italian Lorenzo Da Ponte. The opera is based on a play of the same name by the French playwright Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais, published in 1778. The play caused a huge scandal at the time, openly describing the customs, habits and sins of society (and especially of the upper classes). Da Ponte's libretto manages to universalise the issues raised in the play, weakening the domestic and emphasising the moral and ethical aspects, thus making the work timeless. 

Directed by film, theatre and opera giant Richard Eyre, this new version of the opera stars American bass-baritone Michael Sumuel. His beloved Susanna is played by Ukrainian soprano Olga Kulchinska. Canadian baritone Joshua Hopkins will sing the role of the maiden Count Almaviva, while Italian soprano Federica Lombardi will play the role of his harried wife. The opera will be conducted by German conductor and pianist Joana Mallwitz, who is making her Metropolitan debut.