Washington Opera Society Embraces Mozart’s ‘Figaro’
By • December 20, 2023 0 800
Grand opera was on full display at the Austrian Embassy on Dec. 1, when the Washington Opera Society presented Mozart’s masterpiece, “The Marriage of Figaro.” Maestro Julien Benichou led a full orchestra and a cast of world-class singers led by Metropolitan Opera leading bass, Kevin Short.
Some 300 guests wined and dined after the performance, hosted by Austrian Ambassador Petra Schneebauer and WOS Board President and Austrian native, Alexandra Sényi de Nagy-Unyom. Being in the Austrian Embassy and hosting an elegant affair, attended by many of Washington’s glitterati, Sényi remarked, felt like being in her hometown, Vienna.
The Washington Opera Society is embarking on its ninth season and is the only performing arts company in the nation to highlight full orchestras in embassies, presenting leading artists of the world accompanied by younger local singers. The company will continue expanding its Youth Initiative in 2024, which will feature free master classes at local universities, vocal competitions and outreach to young people.
In 2024, the company plans to embark on major, lesser-produced productions which Executive Director and founder Michael Reilly promises “will not disappoint.”
Washington Opera Society Vice President Cary Pollak, WOS Board President Alexandra Sényi, Maestro Julien Benichou, Ambassador Petra Schneebauer of Austria, Board member Raymond Janvier, Board member Anne Lantry and philanthropist Shahin Mafi. Photo by Neshan Naltchayan.
