the opera explores class differences, relationships and the abuse of power
Natasha Agarwal is bringing a Bollywood flair to Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro in a new production that combines classical music, Yorkshire culture and period drama in 1970s Bradford.
Described as “Bollywood meets Downton Abbey” by the opera singer, the production combines romance, comedy and social divisions with Western and Indian classical music.
Agarwal plays Susanna and said the combination of cultural influences and familiar themes makes the story relevant to modern audiences.
The 18th-century opera follows Figaro, a servant, and Susanna, a maid, as they prepare to marry.
However, their plans are disrupted when their employer, Count Almaviva, attempts to seduce Susanna, prompting a series of schemes, disguises and unexpected revelations.
With the help of the countess, who is unhappy with her husband’s behaviour, the couple attempt to outwit the count.
Beneath its comic storyline, the opera explores class differences, relationships and the abuse of power, with servants using their intelligence to challenge those above them.
For Agarwal, who previously performed Susanna while studying at the University of Warwick, returning to the role also carries a personal connection. The singer who played Figaro in that production is now her husband.
She said the role requires considerable stamina, with Susanna on stage for much of the performance and needing to remain alert to the action unfolding around her.
The new adaptation features a translation by poet and broadcaster Ian McMillan, who has given the opera a Yorkshire setting and dialect.
Composer and conductor Ben Crick has also reworked Mozart’s score for an ensemble combining Western and Indian classical musicians.
Singer, poet and lyricist Kauser Mukhtar has translated sections of the arias into Urdu and Punjabi, reflecting the cultural influences behind the production.
The cast also features South Asian opera singers Oscar Castellino and Kanchana Jaishankar, with the Count and Susanna portrayed as South Asian characters in this version.
Beyond its musical and cultural influences, The Marriage of Figaro aims to introduce opera to audiences who may not traditionally engage with the art form, particularly younger people and those from South Asian communities.
The English-language adaptation and familiar rom-com storyline could make opera more accessible to people who might otherwise feel they need prior knowledge of the genre to enjoy it.
McMillan said:
“Opera was conceived to challenge the artistic and social boundaries of its day.”
“Setting Figaro in Bradford and giving it a Yorkshire voice allows audiences to hear the wit, warmth and humanity of Mozart’s characters in a completely fresh and accessible way.
“Their concerns about love, power and social change remain as alive today as they were in Mozart’s time.”
Directed by Bradford Opera Festival artistic director Alex Chisholm, the production will run at London’s Wilton’s Music Hall from November 23 to 25, 2026.
