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.[1]
Schickele was commissioned to "discover" this opera by the Minnesota Opera, where the piece premiered on April 27 and 28, 1984.[2] 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.[3]
| 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 | Michael Montel | ||
| Choreographer | Larry Hayden | ||
| Set Designer | John Lee Beatty | ||
| Costume Designer | Gail Bakkom | ||
| Wig & Make-up Master | Richard Stead | ||
| Lighting Designer | Ruth Roberts | ||
| Video Editor | Daniel Mercure | ||
| Television Director | Kaye S. Lavine | ||
| Television Producer | Stephen Schmidt | ||
| The theme to Culture on Parade is performed by the London Serpent Trio. | |||
21. Introduction to act 2Act 2: Somewhere in the Turkish EmpireScene 1: At the seashore22. Duet: "God be praised"Scene 2: In front of the Pasha's palace23. Aria: "Fish gotta swim"24. Chorus: "Hey, make way"25. Dance of the Seven Pails26. Recitative: "Your immenseness"27. Duet, chorus, and dialogue: "Who is the highest"28. Quartet: "May I introduce"Scene 3: A courtyard of the palace29. 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 forest32. Ballet33. Trio and dialogue: "A magic forest"34. Duet and dialogue: "I am a swineherd"35. Finale (part 1) and dialogue36. Aria and dialogue: "Why, oh why"37. Finale (part 2)38. Curtain calls and closing credits39. Closing remarks by Prof. Schickele
DVD bonus tracks