David Stout’s performances as Figaro in two operas at Welsh National Opera – Le nozze di Figaro and new work Figaro Gets a Divorce – have been acclaimed by critics. Stout takes the title role in both operas as part of WNO’s “Figaro Forever” season, which comprises the well known and much loved Il barbiere di Sivilgia and Le nozze di Figaro alongside the world premiere of new work Figaro gets a Divorce, conceived by WNO’s artistic director David Pountney (who also directs) and composed by Elena Langer.
Stout has received glowing praise from critics for his performances as Figaro:
“David Stout is an outstanding, resonant bass Figaro, terrific in “Non più andrai” – one of the best I can remember – and a robust, not too violent, foil to Mark Stone’s Almaviva”
Stephen Walsh, The Arts Desk
“The cast is strong, especially on the male side, with Mark Stone as the Count and David Stout as Figaro.”
Richard Fairman, Financial Times
“Anna Devin and David Stout sang freshly and cleanly as Susanna and Figaro”
Rupert Christiansen, Telegraph
“David Stout’s Figaro bustles in through the audience mid-overture, a touch of pantomime that sets the tone. It’s no bad thing to be reminded that Figaro is a comedy… The principals play off each other marvellously. Stout’s dark, flexible voice makes an effective foil for the paler tones of Mark Stone’s Count…”
Richard Bratby, Spectator
“The casts were supremely capable… David Stout’s Figaro was triumphant in Marriage and cynically depressed in Divorce… “
Steph Power, Independent
“David Stout (Figaro) and Anna Devin (Susanna) both gave very strong performances of great character and stamina, the former an authoritative stage presence with a pleasingly agile voice.”
Rohan Shotton, Bachtrack
“It doesn’t hurt that soon-to-be-weds Figaro and Susanna are sung and acted with wit, grace and musical beauty by David Stout and Anna Devin. I have rarely enjoyed these characters more: they sing as one, yet a hundred connecting currents bring their union to life.”
Mark Valencia, WhatsOnStage
WNO’s Figaro Forever season runs until 9 April. Please click here for more information.
