The Marriage of Figaro

The photo, of SO’s second ever production (in 1971) of Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro shows, from left to right, Andrew Glass as Count Almaviva, Frank Pigeon as Antonio (the Gardener), William Hamilton as Figaro, Rosemary Brown/Camden as Susanna and Janette Holt (now Ives) as the Countess. Rosemary’s husband Leighton Camden directed the production. He went on to direct several more productions for the Company and he also sang several leading roles for us. He was an excellent lyric tenor.

Many years later Leighton returned to Surrey Opera and, graciously, joined the ranks of the Chorus. Most notably in The Yeoman of the Guard. Leighton knew his G & S and was always great value.

This photo was given to us by Frank Pigeon’s daughter, who kindly gave me Frank’s complete album of the productions in which he had performed. His wife, Rosemary, was also a singer and sung the role of 2nd Lady in The Magic Flute – SO’s first opera in 1970. Without Frank’s album we might not have any photographic record of those early years of Surrey Opera.