The online opera guide about LE NOZZE DI FIGARO (Synopsis)
Get to know the Synopsis of the opera LE NOZZE DI FIGARO by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. In a 4-minute film you will watch the most important actions. Enriched with role descriptions and informative illustrations.
OVERVIEW & DIRECT ACCESS
Content
♪ Synopsis in 4 minutes - YouTube Video
♪ Link to the opera portrait (with interesting informations, and great Youtube Videos)
♪ Top 5 Highlights of the opera
Libretto
♪ Act I
♪ Act II
♪ Act III
♪ Act IV
The Synopsis of LE NOZZE DI FIGARO
Relationship diagram in LE NOZZE DI FIGARO of main roles
Link to the opera portrait to the opera:
Read and watch the opera portrait to LE NOZZE DI FIGARO. With interesting facts and great YouTube Videos to this opera.
The written Synopsis of LE NOZZE DI FIGARO
The roles.
Contessa, Countess Almaviva
Conte, Count Almaviva
Figaro, valet of the count
Cherubino, page of the count
Susanna, made of the countess
Synopsis
In the castle of Count Almaviva. The servants Figaro and Susanna plan their marriage. The (married) count wants his right to the first night. Susanna, the countess and Figaro all complain. The countess and Susanna want to teach the count a lesson and they craft a plan. First with a Cherubino disguised as Susanna. There is a big tumult and the lesson does not work.
On the day of the wedding Susanna and the Contessa plan their next try. During the celebration Susanna slips a letter to the count. Figaro thinks this is a love letter and swears revenge. He wants to watch the meeting of the two. The countess and Susanna have changed their clothes. So, the count has, without knowing it, a tryst with his wife. Conversely, Figaro takes revenge on Susanna with a declaration of love to the alleged countess (the disguised Susanna). The count pleads for forgiveness and all celebrate this happy ending.
The top 5 highlights of the opera
Deh vieni non tardar (Aria of the roses) - Popp
Voi che sapete - Ewing
Porgi amor - Schwarzkopf
Non so piu cosa faccio - Ludwig
Che soave zeffiretto - Schwarzkopf / Seefried
Libretto
LE NOZZE DI FIGARO ACT I
| Count Almaviva’s Castle near Seville (A half-furnished room with a large armchair in the centre. Figaro is measuring the floor. Susanna is trying on a hat in front of a mirror.)No. 1: DilettinoFIGARO Five…ten…twenty… thirty…thirty-six…forty-three…SUSANNA How happy I am now; you’d think it had been made for me.FIGARO Five…SUSANNA Look a moment, dearest Figaro. FIGARO SUSANNA |
| FIGARO twenty…SUSANNA look a moment.FIGARO thirty…SUSANNA look a moment, look here at my cap!FIGARO thirty-six…SUSANNA look here at my cap. FIGARO SUSANNA FIGARO SUSANNA FIGARO |
| SUSANNA How happy I am now, etc.FIGARO Yes, dear heart, etc.SUSANNA, FIGARO Ah, with our wedding day so near…SUSANNA how pleasing to my gentle husbandFIGARO how pleasing to your gentle husbandSUSANNA, FIGARO is this charming little cap which Susanna made herself, etc. SUSANNA FIGARO SUSANNA FIGARO |
| SUSANNA For my part, you can keep it.FIGARO For what reason?SUSANNA (tapping her forehead) I have my reasons here.FIGARO (with a similar gesture) Why won’t you let them be transferred here too?SUSANNA Because I don’t want to; are you my servant or not?FIGARO But I don’t understand why you should so dislike the most convenient room in the castle. SUSANNA FIGARO No. 2: Dilettino FIGARO |
| should call you at night. ding ding: in two steps from here you’d be there. And then when the time comes that my master wants me, dong dong: in three bounds I am ready to serve him.SUSANNA Likewise some morning the dear little Count, ding ding: may send you some three miles away, ding, ding, dong dong: the devil may send him to my door, and behold, in three bounds…FIGARO Susanna, hush, hush, etc.SUSANNA and behold, in three bounds…ding,ding… Listen!FIGARO Quickly!SUSANNA If you want to hear the rest, drop those suspicions that do me such wrong. FIGARO |
| SUSANNA Well, then; listen and keep quiet.FIGARO Speak, what’s been happening?SUSANNA My lord the Count, weary of pursuing beauties from far and near, wants to try his luck again within his own castle walls. But it is not his wife, mind you, who whets his appetite.FIGARO Who is it, then?SUSANNA Your own little Susanna.FIGARO You? SUSANNA FIGARO SUSANNA |
| FIGARO Well I never! The double-dealer!SUSANNA Wait, the best is yet to come: Don Basilio, my singing teacher and his factotum, while giving me lessons repeats the same theme every day.FIGARO Who! Basilio! The scoundrel!SUSANNA Did you think that my dowry was given for your sake?FIGARO I had so flattered myself.SUSANNA He bestowed it in the hope of a few half-hours of dalliance which feudal right… FIGARO SUSANNA |
| and intends to redeem it with me. FIGARO FIGARO SUSANNA FIGARO SUSANNA FIGARO |
| No. 3: Cavatina FIGARO BARTOLO MARCELLINA |
| he will take my part, and thus Figaro will become my husband.BARTOLO (taking the contract from Marcellina) Good, I’ll do all I can. Be quite frank and tell me everything. (aside) I should relish marrying off my former servant to the man who once engineered my ward’s elopement.No. 4: AriaBARTOLO Revenge, oh, sweet revenge is a pleasure reserved for the wise, to forgo shame, outrage is base and utter meanness. With astuteness, with cleverness, with discretion, with judgment, it’s possible…The matter is serious; but, believe me, it shall be done. If I have to pore over the law books, if I have to read all the extracts, with misunderstandings, with hocus-pocus he’ll find himself in a turmoil. If I have to pore over, etc. All Seville knows Bartolo, the scoundrel Figaro shall be overcome! (He goes.) |
| MARCELLINA All is not lost; hope still remains. (Susanna enters carrying a lady’s cap, dress and a length of ribbon.) But here comes Susanna. I must try out my plan; I’ll pretend not to see her. (as if to herself, but loudly) So that matchless pearl is his chosen bride!SUSANNA (aside) She’s talking about me.MARCELLINA But after all, one would expect nothing better from Figaro: “I’argent fait tout”.SUSANNA (aside) What an evil tongue! Just as well we know it for what it is.MARCELLINA Excellent! What discretion she has! With those downcast eyes and air of piety! And then…SUSANNA (aside) I’d better go. MARCELLINA (They both start to leave and arrive at the door together.) |
| No. 5: Duettino MARCELLINA (making a curtsy) SUSANNA (making a curtsy) MARCELLINA (making a curtsy) SUSANNA (making a curtsy) MARCELLINA (making a curtsy) SUSANNA (making a curtsy) MARCELLINA, SUSANNA (making a curtsy) MARCELLINA (making a curtsy) SUSANNA (making a curtsy) |
| MARCELLINA (making a curtsy) The Count’s favourite…SUSANNA All Spain’s beloved…MARCELLINA Your merit…SUSANNA Your fine dress…MARCELLINA Your position…SUSANNA Your age… MARCELLINA SUSANNA MARCELLINA (making a curtsy) SUSANNA (making a curtsy) MARCELLINA (making a curtsy) |
| SUSANNA (making a curtsy) The lady of honour! etc. (Marcellina goes off in a rage.)SUSANNA Off with you, you ancient pedant, you arrogant blue-stocking! Just because you’ve read a couple of books and bored madame when she was young … (She lays the dress over the back of the chair.)CHERUBINO (entering) Susannetta, is that you?SUSANNA Yes, it’s me; what do you want?CHERUBINO Ah, my love, what a misfortune!SUSANNA Your love? What’s happened? CHERUBINO |
| SUSANNA Never see me again? Dear me! So you’ve given up sighing in secret for the Countess, have you?CHERUBINO Ah, she fills me with too great a respect! Lucky you, who can see her whenever you want to, who dress her in the morning, and undress her at night, who arrange her pins, her lace. (sighing) ah! If I were in your shoes - What have you got there? Tell me -SUSANNA (imitating him) Ah, the pretty ribbon and night-cap belonging to your beautiful god-mother.CHERUBINO Please, give it to me, sister, give it to me, I beg you. (Cherubino snatches the ribbon from Susanna’s hand.)SUSANNA Give me back that ribbon at once! (Susanna tries to take it from him; he dodges around the chair.) |
| CHERUBINO O dear, o beautiful, o blest ribbon! You’ll have to kill me to get it back! (He kisses the ribbon over and over again.)SUSANNA (starts to chase him then stops as if tired) What impudence is this?CHERUBINO Come on, don’t fuss. In fair exchange I wish to present you with this little song of mine. (He pulls the song out of his pocket.)SUSANNA What am I supposed to do with this?CHERUBINO Read it to the mistress; read it yourself; read it to Barbarina, Marcellina, to every woman in the castle!SUSANNA Poor Cherubino, you must be mad! No. 6: Aria CHERUBINO |
| disturbs me, changes my heart, and speaking of love, forces on me a desire I cannot restrain! I no longer know what I am, etc. I speak of love while I’m awake, I speak of love while I’m sleeping, to rivers, to shadows, to mountains, to flowers, to grass, to fountains, to echoes, to air, to winds, until they carry away the sound of my useless words. I speak of love while I’m awake, etc. And if no one is near to hear me I speak of love to myself. (Seeing the Count in the distance, Cherubino hides behind the chair.)COUNT Quick, saddle me a horse!CHERUBINO I’m done for!SUSANNA I’m afraid …COUNT To the hunt!SUSANNA The Count! (She tries to conceal Cherubino.) Poor me! |
| COUNT (entering) Susanna, you seem to be agitated and confused.SUSANNA My lord, I beg your pardon, but…indeed…the surprise… I implore you, please go.COUNT One moment, then I’ll leave. Listen. (sits down on the chair and takes Susanna’s hand; she draws it forcibly away)SUSANNA I don’t want to hear anything.COUNT Just a couple of words: you know that the king has named me the ambassador to London; I had intended to take Figaro with me.SUSANNA My lord, if I may dare - COUNT (rising) SUSANNA |
| I do not want them, not claim them. Oh, what miser y!COUNT Ah no, Susanna, I want to make you happy! You well know how much I love you; Basilio has told you that already. Now listen, if you would meet me briefly in the garden at dusk, ah, for this favour I would pay…BASILIO (outside the door) He went out just now.COUNT Whose voice is that?SUSANNA Oh, heavens!COUNT Go, and let no one come in. SUSANNA BASILIO (outside) COUNT (points to the chair) SUSANNA |
| COUNT Hush, and try to make him go. (The Count is about to hide behind the chair: Susanna steps between him and the page. The Count pushes her gently away. She draws back; meanwhile the page slips round to the front of the chair and hops in with his feet drawn up.Susanna rearranges the dress to cover him.)SUSANNA Oh dear! What are you doing?BASILIO (entering) Susanna! Heaven bless you! Have you seen his lordship by any chance?SUSANNA And what should his lordship be doing here with me? Come now, be gone!BASILIO But listen, Figaro is looking for him.SUSANNA (aside) Oh dear! (aloud) Then he’s looking for the one man who, after yourself, hates him most! COUNT (aside) |
| BASILIO I have never heard it preached that he who loves the wife should hate the husband. The Count loves you.SUSANNA Get out, vile minister of others’ lechery! I have no need of your preaching, nor of the Count or his lovemaking!BASILIO No offence meant. Everyone to their own taste. I thought you would have preferred as your lover, as all other women would, a lord who’s liberal, prudent and wise, to a raw youth, a mere page.SUSANNA To Cherubino?BASILIO To Cherubino! Love’s little cherub, who early today was hanging about here waiting to come in.SUSANNA You insinuating watch, that’s a lie. |
| BASILIO Do you call it an insinuation to have eyes in one’s head? And that little ditty, tell me confidentially, as a friend, and I will tell no one else, was it written for you or my lady?SUSANNA (aside) Who the devil told him about that?BASILIO By the way, my child, you must teach him better. At table he gazes at her so often and so wantonly, that if the Count noticed it - on that subject, as you know, he’s quite wild -SUSANNA You wretch! Why do you go around spreading such lies?BASILIO I! How unfair! That which I buy I sell, and to what is common knowledge I add not a tittle.COUNT (emerging from his hiding-place) Indeed! And what is common knowledge? BASILIO (aside) |
| SUSANNA (aside) Oh heavens!No. 7: TerzettoCOUNT What do I hear! Go at once, and throw the seducer out!BASILIO I came here at the wrong moment! Pardon me, my Lord.SUSANNA I’m ruined, unhappy me! I’m crushed with fright!COUNT Go at once, etc. BASILIO SUSANNA COUNT, BASILIO (supporting her) BASILIO |
| SUSANNA (recovering and drawing away) Where am I? What is this? What insolence, get out of here! etc.BASILIO We are here to help you, and your honour is perfectly safe.COUNT We are here to help you; don’t be alarmed, my treasure.BASILIO Ah, what I said about the page was only a suspicion of mine.SUSANNA It is a malicious scandal, don’t believe the impostor, etc.COUNT No, the young reprobate must go! etc. SUSANNA, BASILIO COUNT SUSANNA |
| BASILIO What!SUSANNA What?BASILIO How’s that?SUSANNA, BASILIO How’s that? What?COUNT Yesterday I found your cousin’s door was locked; I knocked and Barbarina opened much more sheepishly than usual. Suspicious at her manner I went searching in every corner, and raising up the table covering as gently as you please, I found the page! (He shows them what he means and lifting the dressing-gown on the chair discovers Cherubino.) Ah, what’s this I see?SUSANNA Ah, cruel fortune! BASILIO |
| COUNT Most virtuous lady, now I understand your ways!SUSANNA It couldn’t have turned out worse; ye just gods, what next!BASILIO All pretty women are the same, there’s nothing new in this case!COUNT Basilio, go and find Figaro at once; I want him to see - (points to Cherubino, who stays where he is)SUSANNA And I want him to hear; go.COUNT (to Basilio) Wait. (to Susanna, aside) What brazenness! What excuse is there when your guilt is so obvious? SUSANNA COUNT |
| SUSANNA He was with me when you arrived, he was asking me to ask my lady to intercede for him! Your arrival threw him into a panic so he hid.COUNT But I sat there myself when I came into the room.CHERUBINO I was round the back then.COUNT And when I went round the back?CHERUBINO I slipped quietly to the front and hid here.COUNT (to Susanna) My God! Then he heard everything I was saying to you! CHERUBINO COUNT BASILIO COUNT (to Cherubino) |
| (He pulls him out of the chair.) (Figaro enters, carrying a white veil, followed by peasants, the girls dressed in white, and strewing flowers out of little baskets before the Count.)No. 8: Chorus CHORUS Carefree girls, scatter flowers before this noble master of ours. His great heart preserves there, the spotless purity of a more lovely flower.COUNT (surprised, to Figaro) What’s all this nonsense?FIGARO (aside, to Susanna) The ball is rolling. Back me up, my love.SUSANNA (aside, to Figaro) It’s hopeless.FIGARO (to the Count) My lord, do not disdain this tribute of our affection, well-deserved now that you have abolished a right so hated by all true lovers. COUNT |
| FIGARO We are the first to benefit from your wisdom: our marriage is already arranged, now it remains for you to bestow upon this woman, chaste by your gift, this white veil, symbol of purity.COUNT (aside) What devilish cunning! But I must keep up the pretence. (aloud) I am grateful, my friends, for your honourable feelings. But I do not deser ve tributes and praise; by abolishing from my estates an unjust right, I but restore to duty and nature their own.ALL Hurray! Hurray! Hurray!SUSANNA What a virtuous man!FIGARO What a just man!COUNT (to Figaro and Susanna) I promise to perform the ceremony, I ask but a brief respite, so that in the presence of my loyal people, and with due pomp and splendour |
| I may make you completely happy. (aside) We must find Marcellina. (aloud) Go, my friends.CHORUS (scattering the rest of the flowers) Carefree girls, scatter flowers before this noble master of ours. His great heart preserves there, the spotless purity of a more lovely flower. (they leave)FIGARO Hurray!SUSANNA Hurray!BASILIO Hurray!FIGARO (to Cherubino) And you’re not going to cheer? SUSANNA FIGARO |
| Susanna A wedding-day!FIGARO (to the Count) When everyone is praising you!CHERUBINO (kneeling) Forgive me, my lord!COUNT You don’t deserve it.SUSANNA He’s still only a child.COUNT Less of a child than you think. CHERUBINO COUNT (raising him) SUSANNA, FIGARO |
| COUNT No, he must leave at once.CHERUBINO To obey you, my lord, I am ready.COUNT Come, for the last time give Susanna a kiss. (aside) This blow is unexpected. (The Count and Basilio leave.) (Cherubino embraces Susanna, who is still confused.)FIGARO (to Cherubino) Hey, captain, give me your hand. (softly) I must speak to you before you go. (aloud) Farewell little Cherubino! How your destiny has changed all at once!No. 9: AriaFIGARO (to Cherubino) No more will you, amorous butterfly, flit around the castle night and day, upsetting all the pretty girls, love’s little Narcissus and Adonis, etc. No more will you have those fine plumes, that soft and stylish hat, |
| those fine locks, that striking air, those rosy, girl-like cheeks. No more will you, etc. Among warriors swearing by Bacchus! Great mustacchios, holding your pack, a gun on your shoulder, a sabre at your side, head held high, frank of feature, wearing a great helmet or a turban, winning honours, but little money, and in place of the fandango a march through the mud. Over mountains, over valleys, through the snow and burning sun. To the music of trumpets, of shells and cannons, with balls sounding thunder, making your ears ring. Cherubino, on to victory, on to victory in war!(They leave, marching like soldiers.) |
LE NOZZE DI FIGARO ACT II
| The Countess’s boudoir (To the right is a door, to the left a dressing-room. A door at the back leads to the servants’ rooms; on one side, a window. The Countess is alone.)No. 10: CavatinaCONTESSA Grant, love, some relief to my sorrow, to my sighing. Give me back my treasure, or at least let me die. Grant, love, etc. (Susanna enters.)COUNTESS Come, Susanna dear, finish what you were saying.SUSANNA It’s finished already.COUNTESS So he wanted to seduce you? SUSANNA COUNTESS |
| SUSANNA Why then is he jealous of you?COUNTESS He’s like all modern husbands, compulsively unfaithful, naturally headstrong and jealous out of pride. But if Figaro loves you, he alone could -FIGARO (offstage, singing) La la la… la la la… (enters)SUSANNA Here he is. Come, my friend, my lady is getting impatient.FIGARO There is no need to worry about all this. After all, what does it amount to? My lord has taken a fancy to my bride; so he wants to reinstate in secrecy the feudal ‘droit de seigneur’. This is both possible and natural.COUNTESS Possible? |
| SUSANNA Natural?FIGARO Absolutely natural, and, if Susanna agrees, absolutely possible.SUSANNA Stop talking nonsense!FIGARO I’ve already said it all. So he decided that I should be his courier and Susanna his ‘confidential attachée’, and because she obstinately and consistently refuses to accept the honour he would bestow upon her, he’s threatening to protect Marcellina’s interests; that’s the whole situation.SUSANNA And have you the nerve to joke about such a serious matter?FIGARO Isn’t it enough that, while joking, I’m giving the matter some thought? Here’s the plan: (to the Countess) I’ll see he gets a note from Basilio evealing that you have arranged an assignation with a lover during the ball. |
| COUNTESS O heavens! What are you saying! He’s such a jealous man -FIGARO So much the better, it makes it easier for us to perplex him, confuse him, ensnare him, upset his plans, make him suspicious, and show him that this “modern” game he would like to play on me, can be played on him; so that while he’s chasing shadows and getting nowhere, suddenly, before he’s had time to meddle with our plans, the time for the wedding will have come and there’ll be no way (to the Countess) that he can dare to oppose my vows.SUSANNA Maybe, but if you foil him there’s still Marcellina.FIGARO Wait, you go and tell the Count at once that you’ll meet him this evening in the garden; young Cherubino, who, on my instructions has still not left, we will send dressed as a woman in your place. This is the only way by which my lord, caught in flagrante by my lady, |
| can be made to do what we want. COUNTESS SUSANNA COUNTESS SUSANNA COUNTESS FIGARO COUNTESS FIGARO |
| COUNTESS It makes me so sad, Susanna, to think that this lad should have overheard the Count’s indiscretions! Ah! you can’t imagine - But why ever did he not come to me? Where is the song?SUSANNA Here it is; we’ll make him sing it to us. Hush, somebody’s coming. It is he! (Enter Cherubino.) Come in, come in, fine officer!CHERUBINO Oh! Don’t call me by that dreaded name! It reminds me that I have got to leave my godmother, who is so good -SUSANNA And so beautiful.CHERUBINO (with a sigh) Ah yes, indeed!SUSANNA (imitating him) Ah yes indeed! You great hypocrite! Come on, sing the song you gave me this morning to my lady. |
| COUNTESS Who is the author?SUSANNA (pointing to Cherubino) Look, he’s got two little patches of red on his cheeks.COUNTESS Fetch my guitar and accompany him.CHERUBINO I’m shaking so much - but if Madame wishes -SUSANNA She wishes, of course she wishes. No more chat. (Susanna plays the refrain on her guitar.)No. 11: Song CHERUBINO |
| palpitate and tremble without knowing it. I find no peace night or day, and yet I enjoy languishing so. You who know what love is, etc.COUNTESS Bravo! What a lovely voice; I didn’t know you could sing so well.SUSANNA Oh truly, everything that he does he does well. Come over here quickly, my fine soldier; Figaro told you -CHERUBINO He told me everything.SUSANNA Let me see; it should fit you to perfection; we’re just the same height. Take off your cloak. (She helps him off with his cloak.)COUNTESS What are you doing? SUSANNA COUNTESS SUSANNA |
| (She does so.) But how shall we dress his hair?COUNTESS Fetch one of my caps from the closet, quickly! (Susanna leaves; Cherubino approaches the Countess and, taking them from his breast-pocket, shows her his commission papers; the Countess takes them from him, opens them and notices that the seal is lacking.) What are these papers?CHERUBINO My commission.COUNTESS What hasty people!CHERUBINO Basilio gave it to me just now.COUNTESS In their haste, they have forgotten the seal. (She returns the commission.) SUSANNA (returning) COUNTESS |
| SUSANNA Well I never! What eagerness! Here’s the cap.COUNTESS (to Susanna) Don’t waste time: that’s fine: we’ll be in trouble if the Count should come!No. 12: AriaSUSANNA Come here, get down on your knees, and stay still there! Gently, now turn around again. Bravo, that’s just fine. Now turn your face around, ha! Don’t make such eyes at me; keep looking straight on ahead. Madame is not there. Pull this collar a bit higher, keep your eyes down lower, your hands across your chest, we’ll see how you walk when you’re on your feet. Look at the little colt, look how handsome he is! What a crafty expression, what an outfit, what a figure! If women fall in love with him, they have their reasons why. |
| COUNTESS What a lot of nonsense!SUSANNA I’m even jealous myself! (taking Cherubino by the chin) Look, you little monster, could you please stop being so handsome?COUNTESS That’s enough fooling about. Push the sleeves up above his elbows so that the dress fits better.SUSANNA (obeying) There we are.COUNTESS Further up, like this. (discovering a ribbon wound round his arm) What’s this ribbon?SUSANNA That’s the one he took from me. COUNTESS (unwinding the ribbon) |
| CHERUBINO That blood - I don’t know how, but I slipped down just now - a stone - I grazed my arm, and I bound up the cut with the ribbon.SUSANNA Show me - it’s not much, my goodness! His arm is whiter than mine! A girl -COUNTESS Will you never stop playing the fool? Go to my closet and fetch a piece of the court-plaster that’s on my dressing-table. (Susanna leaves.) As for the ribbon, I would really be loth to part with that colour.SUSANNA (returning with the plaster and a pair of scissors) Take these, now how to bandage his arm?COUNTESS Get another ribbon as you’re going for your dress. (Susanna leaves through the door at the back, taking Cherubino’s cloak with her.)CHERUBINO The other one would have healed me more quickly! |
| COUNTESS Why is that? This is better.CHERUBINO When a ribbon has bound the hair or touched the skin of a -COUNTESS (interrupting) -stranger, it has the power of healing, is that so? Well, d’you know, I never knew that!CHERUBINO My lady jests, and I am about to depart.COUNTESS Poor child! How unfortunate!CHERUBINO Oh what misery! COUNTESS CHERUBINO COUNTESS |
| Who knocks on my door? COUNT (outside the door) COUNTESS COUNT COUNTESS COUNT COUNTESS CHERUBINO (He slips into the closet and shuts the door, the COUNTESS |
| (She runs to open the door to the Count.) COUNT (entering) COUNTESS COUNT COUNTESS COUNT COUNTESS (aside) COUNT |
| COUNTESS I heard nothing.COUNT You must have something important on your mind.COUNTESS Such as?COUNT There’s somebody in there.COUNTESS Who, for instance?COUNT I’m asking you, I’ve only just come here. COUNTESS COUNT COUNTESS COUNT COUNTESS (with a little, forced smile) |
| COUNT I wouldn’t know, but you’re certainly worried.COUNTESS I think it’s you, rather than me who is upset by that girl.COUNT That’s perfectly true, and you’ll see why.No. 13: Terzetto (Susanna enters by the door through which she left and stops on seeing the Count, who is on the side nearest the closet, speaking towards the closet door.)COUNT (knocking at the door of the dressing-room) Susanna, now, come out. Come out, I order you.COUNTESS Wait, and listen; she cannot come out. SUSANNA COUNT |
| COUNTESS Modesty forbids it. She’s in there trying on her new gown for the wedding.COUNT The matter’s quite clear; her lover is in there.COUNTESS An ugly situation; who knows what will come of it?SUSANNA I think I understand. Let’s see what happens.COUNT Susanna!COUNTESS Wait! COUNT COUNTESS COUNT COUNTESS |
| COUNT I order you!COUNTESS She cannot come out.COUNT Well then, speak at least, Susanna, if you’re in there.COUNTESS No, no, no, no, no, no, I order you to be quiet.COUNT My wife, be reasonable, a scandal, an uproar, can be avoided, I beg you!SUSANNA Heavens! A disaster, a scandal, an uproar, will certainly result! COUNTESS COUNT |
| COUNTESS And why should I open my rooms?COUNT Well don’t, then, we’ll open them without a key. Ho there!COUNTESS What? Would you openly question the honour of a lady?COUNT True. I’m in the wrong; without noise, without creating a scandal among our people, I can myself fetch the necessary tools. You wait here; but so that my suspicions may be proved to be completely groundless, I shall lock all the doors first. (He locks the door at the back which is that leading to the servants’ quarters.)COUNTESS (aside) What imprudence!COUNT Condescend to come with me; my lady, I offer you my arm, let’s go! COUNTESS |
| COUNT (pointing to the closet) Susanna will stay here until we return. (They go out.) (Susanna comes out of her hiding place.)No. 14: DuettinoSUSANNA Open, quickly, open; open, it’s Susanna. Come out, now, come out, come on out of there.CHERUBINO (entering, confused and out of breath) Oh dear, what a terrible scene! What a disaster!SUSANNA This way, that way…CHERUBINO What a disaster! SUSANNA, CHERUBINO CHERUBINO SUSANNA |
| CHERUBINO (looking out of the window) Look down here a moment, (getting ready to jump) it opens on the garden.SUSANNA (restraining him) Wait, Cherubino, wait, for pity’s sake!CHERUBINO No use staying here,SUSANNA Wait, Cherubino!CHERUBINO He’ll kill me if he finds me.SUSANNA It’s too high to jump. Wait, for pity’s sake! CHERUBINO SUSANNA |
| (Cherubino jumps; Susanna cries out, sits down for a moment and then runs to the window.) O just see how the little devil runs! He’s a mile away already. But there’s no time to lose; let’s go into the closet. When that bully returns, I’ll be waiting for him. (She goes into the closet and closes the door behind her. Enter the Countess with the Count who is carrying tools for opening the door: he carefully examines every door in the room.)COUNT All is as I left it; will you open the door yourself, or must I - (He is about to force open the door.)COUNTESS Alas, wait a moment and listen to me. (The Count throws the hammer and pliers down on a chair.) Do you think me capable of besmirching my honour?COUNT As you will. I’m going to see who is in that closet.COUNTESS Yes, you will see, but listen to me calmly.COUNT It is not Susanna, then? |
| COUNTESS No, but it is a person of whom you could have not the slightest suspicion: he was helping us prepare an innocent charade for this evening, and I swear to you that honour and virtue -COUNT Who is then? Tell me - I’ll kill him.COUNTESS Listen - ah, my courage fails -COUNT Speak.COUNTESS It is a child.COUNT A child? COUNTESS COUNT (aside) |
| No. 15: Finale COUNT COUNTESS COUNT COUNTESS COUNT COUNTESS COUNT COUNTESS |
| COUNT Ah, I understand, worthless woman, and I’ll soon get my revenge.COUNTESS Your outrage wrongs me, you insult me by doubting me.COUNT Ah, I understand, worthless woman, and I’ll soon get my revenge. Give me the key!COUNTESS He is innocent…COUNT Give me the key!COUNTESS He is innocent, you know it… COUNT COUNTESS COUNT |
| COUNTESS but…COUNT I won’t listen.COUNTESS (giving him the key) I am not guilty!COUNT I read it in your face! He shall die and be no longer the source of my troubles.COUNTESS Ah! Blind jealousy, what excesses you bring about! (The Count unsheathes his sword and opens the dressing-room door. Susanna comes out.)COUNT Susanna! COUNTESS SUSANNA |
| COUNT A revelation! I feel my head spinning!COUNTESS What a strange tale! Susanna was in there!SUSANNA Their heads are muddled. They don’t know what happened!COUNT (to Susanna) Are you alone?SUSANNA See yourself whether anyone is in there.COUNT We’ll look, someone could be in there, etc. (He goes into the dressing-room.) COUNTESS SUSANNA COUNT |
| I beg your pardon, but playing such jokes is cruel, after all.COUNTESS, SUSANNA Your foolish acts deserve no pity.COUNT I love you!COUNTESS Don’t say it!COUNT I swear!COUNTESS You’re lying. I’m unfaithful and impious, and trying to humiliate you. COUNT SUSANNA COUNTESS |
| such harsh thanks? COUNT SUSANNA COUNT COUNTESS COUNT SUSANNA |
| COUNT But the page locked inside?COUNTESS Was only to test you.COUNT But the trembling, the agitation?COUNTESS Was only to ridicule you.COUNT And that wretched letter?SUSANNA, COUNTESS The letter is from Figaro and for you through Basilio. COUNT SUSANNA COUNT COUNTESS |
| heart I have! Who would believe again in woman’s anger?SUSANNA With men, my lady, we must hesitate and falter, you see how honour soon falls before them.COUNT Look at me!COUNTESS Ungrateful man!COUNT Look at me!COUNTESS Ungrateful man! COUNT SUSANNA, COUNTESS, COUNT FIGARO |
| With singing and dancing for all the peasants… let’s hurry out to perform the wedding!COUNT Calm down, less haste.FIGARO The crowd is waiting.COUNT Calm down, less haste, relieve me of a doubt before you go.SUSANNA, COUNTESS, FIGARO A nasty situation; how will it all end? etc.COUNT Now I must play my cards carefully, etc. Do you know, my good Figaro, who wrote this letter? (He shows him a letter.) FIGARO SUSANNA |
| FIGARO No.COUNTESS You don’t know?FIGARO No.COUNT You don’t know?FIGARO No.SUSANNA, COUNTESS, COUNT You don’t know? FIGARO SUSANNA COUNTESS COUNT FIGARO SUSANNA |
| COUNTESS Who tonight in the garden…COUNT Now you understand?FIGARO I don’t know.COUNT In vain you look for defences, excuses, your own face accuses you; I see very well you’re lying.FIGARO My face may be lying, but not I.SUSANNA, COUNTESS You’ve sharpened your wits in vain; the whole secret is out, and there’s no use complaining. COUNT FIGARO COUNT FIGARO |
| SUSANNA, COUNTESS Go on, keep quiet, you fool, the little game is over.FIGARO To give it a happy ending as is usual in the theatre, we’ll proceed now to a matrimonial tableau.SUSANNA, COUNTESS, FIGARO Come sir, don’t be obstinate; give in to my/their wishes.COUNT Marcellina, Marcellina, how long you delay in coming! etc. (Antonio comes rushing in, holding a pot of crushed carnations.)ANTONIO Ah! Sir!, sir!COUNT What has happened? ANTONIO SUSANNA, COUNTESS, COUNT, FIGARO ANTONIO |
| SUSANNA, COUNTESS, COUNT, FIGARO Go ahead, speak up!ANTONIO Listen to me! From the balcony that looks out on the garden I’ve seen a thousand things thrown down, but just now, what could be worse? I saw a man, my lord, thrown out!COUNT From the balcony?ANTONIO (showing the pot) See these carantions!COUNT Into the garden?ANTONIO Yes! SUSANNA, COUNTESS (quietly) COUNT SUSANNA, COUNTESS, FIGARO COUNT (to Antonio) |
| ANTONIO Quick as a flash, the scoundrel fled right away out of my sight!SUSANNA (to Figaro) You know, the page…FIGARO (to Susanna) I know everything, I saw him. (laughing loudly) Ha ha ha ha!COUNT Be quiet over there!FIGARO Ha ha ha ha!ANTONIO Why are you laughing? FIGARO COUNT (to Antonio) ANTONIO COUNT |
| ANTONIO Into the garden.SUSANNA, COUNTESS, FIGARO But sir, it’s the wine talking!COUNT Go on anyway; you didn’t see his face?ANTONIO No, I didn’t.SUSANNA, COUNTESS Hey, Figaro, listen!COUNT No? ANTONIO FIGARO COUNT SUSANNA, COUNTESS |
| FIGARO That surprised them!ANTONIO You? Yourself?SUSANNA, COUNTESS What a brain! A genius!FIGARO That surprised them!COUNT I cannot believe it.ANTONIO (to Figaro) When did you grow so big? When you jumped you weren’t like that. FIGARO ANTONIO SUSANNA, COUNTESS (to Figaro) COUNT (to Antonio) ANTONIO |
| COUNT Cherubino!SUSANNA, COUNTESS Damn you!FIGARO At this moment he must be on horseback, arriving at Seville.ANTONIO No, that’s not so; I saw no horse when he jumped out of the window.COUNT Patience! Let’s wind up this nonsense!SUSANNA, COUNTESS How, in the name of Heaven, will it end? COUNT FIGARO COUNT FIGARO |
| COUNT What fear?FIGARO Here inside I was waiting for that dear face… When I heard an unusual noise… you were shouting…I thought of the letter… and jumped out confused by fear, and pulled the muscles in my ankle!ANTONIO (showing the page’s papers) Then these papers must be yours, and you lost them?COUNT (seizing them) Here, give them to me.FIGARO I am in a trap.SUSANNA, COUNTESS Figaro, get ready. COUNT (quickly glancing at the papers) FIGARO ANTONIO |
| FIGARO No, the list of innkeepers.COUNT (to Figaro) Speak. (to Antonio) You leave him alone.SUSANNA, COUNTESS, FIGARO (to Antonio) Leave him/me alone, and get out.ANTONIO I’m leaving, but if I catch you once more…SUSANNA, COUNTESS, COUNT Leave him alone.FIGARO Get out, I’m not afraid of you. SUSANNA, COUNTESS, COUNT ANTONIO FIGARO SUSANNA, COUNTESS, COUNT |
| COUNT (opening the papers) Well now?COUNTESS (softly to Susanna) Heavens! The page’s commission!SUSANNA (softly to Figaro) Ye gods! The commission!COUNT Speak up!FIGARO Oh, what a brain! It’s the commission that the boy gave me a while ago.COUNT What for? FIGARO COUNT COUNTESS (softly to Susanna) SUSANNA (softly to Figaro) COUNT |
| FIGARO (pretending to think) It’s the custom…COUNT Come on now, are you confused?FIGARO It’s the custom to place a seal on it.COUNT This rascal drives me crazy, the whole thing’s a mystery to me.SUSANNA, COUNTESS If I survive this tempest I won’t be shipwrecked after all, etc.FIGARO He pants and paws the ground in vain. Poor man, he knows less than I do, etc. (Marcellina, Bartolo and Basilio enter.) MARCELLINA, BASILIO, BARTOLO SUSANNA, COUNTESS, FIGARO COUNT |
| FIGARO They are all three stupid fools, whatever have they come to do?COUNT Softly now, without this clamour, let everyone speak his mind.MARCELLINA That man has signed a contract binding him to marry me, and I contend that the contract must be carried out.SUSANNA, COUNTESS, FIGARO What, what?COUNT Hey, be silent! I am here to render judgment.BARTOLO Appointed as her lawyer I am here in her defence, to publish to the world her legitimate reasons. SUSANNA, COUNTESS, FIGARO COUNT BASILIO |
| I come here as a witness of his promise of marriage when she loaned him some money.SUSANNA, COUNTESS, FIGARO They are all mad, etc.COUNT Hey, be silent, we’ll see about that. We will read the contract and proceed in due order.SUSANNA, COUNTESS, FIGARO I am confused, stupefied, hopeless, dismayed! Surely some devil from Hell has brought them/us here!MARCELLINA, BASILIO, BARTOLO, COUNT A telling blow, a lucky chance! Victory is right before our noses; some propitious power has surely brought them/us here! |
LE NOZZE DI FIGARO AKT III
| A great hall in the castle, festively decked for a wedding.COUNT (pacing up and down) What a situation this is! An anonymous letter, the maid shut in the closet, my lady in a state of confusion, a man who leaps from the balcony into the garden, another one who says that it was him; I don’t know what to think. Could it perhaps be one of my servants? Such people are habitually presumptuous. But the Countess - ah, there one cannot doubt without offence! She has too much self-respect, and respect for my honour too. My honour - where, devil take it, human frailty exists! (The Countess and Susanna enter but stop by the door, unseen by the Count.)COUNTESS Go on! Pluck up your courage and tell him to wait for you in the garden.COUNT (aside) I shall soon know if Cherubino got to Seville; |
| I sent Basilio to find out. SUSANNA COUNTESS COUNT SUSANNA COUNTESS COUNT SUSANNA (aside) COUNT SUSANNA |
| COUNT Do you want something?SUSANNA My lord, your lady has had one of her dizzy attacks and begs the loan of your smelling-salts.COUNT Take it.SUSANNA I’ll bring it straight back.COUNT Ah no; keep it yourself.SUSANNA For myself? Common women don’t suffer such ailments. COUNT SUSANNA COUNT |
| SUSANNA That’s what I had understood.COUNT Yes, had you been willing to understand me yourself.SUSANNA It is my duty, and your Excellency’s wish is my command.No. 16: DuetCOUNT Heartless! Why until now did you leave me to languish?SUSANNA Sir, every lady has her time to say yes. COUNT SUSANNA COUNT SUSANNA COUNT |
| SUSANNA Yes.COUNT You won’t fail me?SUSANNA No.COUNT You won’t fail me?SUSANNA. No, I won’t fail you.COUNT My contented heart now feels full of joy! SUSANNA COUNT SUSANNA COUNT |
| SUSANNA No, I won’t fail you.COUNT You’ll come?SUSANNA Yes.COUNT You won’t fail me?SUSANNA No.COUNT So you’ll come? SUSANNA COUNT SUSANNA COUNT SUSANNA |
| COUNT So you’ll come?SUSANNA Yes!COUNT You’ll not fail me?SUSANNA Yes!COUNT Yes?SUSANNA I mean, no, I’ll not fail you… COUNT SUSANNA COUNT SUSANNA COUNT |
| SUSANNA But what need have we of someone like Basilio -COUNT True, true, and promise me now - if you fail me, dear hear t - But the Countess is waiting for the salts.SUSANNA That was only a pretext, without which I could not have spoken.COUNT (trying to kiss her) Sweetheart!SUSANNA Someone’s coming.COUNT (aside) She’s mine for sure. SUSANNA (aside) FIGARO SUSANNA |
| (leaves) FIGARO No. 17: Recitative and Aria COUNT |
| of my revenge consoles my soul and makes me rejoice! Ah, I shall not leave, etc. (Enter Marcellina, Don Curzio, Figaro and Bartolo.)CURZIO The dispute has been resolved: Pay her or marry her. No more to be said.MARCELLINA I breathe again!FIGARO And I’m done for!MARCELLINA (aside) At last I shall be the wife of a man I adore.FIGARO (to the Count) My lord, I appeal… COUNT CURZIO BARTOLO |
| FIGARO What makes it magnificent?BARTOLO We’re all avenged -FIGARO I shan’t marry her.BARTOLO You will.CURZIO Either pay her or marry her. She lent you two thousand crowns.FIGARO I am a gentleman, and without the consent of my noble parents - COUNT FIGARO BARTOLO FIGARO COUNT |
| MARCELLINA What?BARTOLO Any proof?CURZIO Any evidence?FIGARO The gold, the gems, the embroidered clothes which, as a baby, were found on me by the robbers, these are the real proofs of my noble birth; and, above all, this mark here on my arm -MARCELLINA A spatula stamped on your right arm?FIGARO Who told you? MARCELLINA FIGARO CURZIO |
| COUNT Who?BARTOLO Who?MARCELLINA Raffaello!BARTOLO And you were stolen by robbers?FIGARO Near a castle.BARTOLO There is your mother. FIGARO BARTOLO CURZIO, COUNT FIGARO MARCELLINA |
| No. 18: Sextet MARCELLINA (embracing Figaro) FIGARO (to Bartolo) BARTOLO (embracing Figaro) CURZIO COUNT MARCELLINA, BARTOLO FIGARO SUSANNA |
| MARCELLINA, BARTOLO Beloved son!CURZIO, COUNT We’re not sure what’s taking place. Look over there a moment.FIGARO Beloved parents!SUSANNA (seeing Figaro hugging Marcellina) So he’s reconciled with his bride; ye gods, what infidelity! (She wants to leave but Figaro detains her.) Leave me alone, villain!FIGARO No, wait! Listen, darling!SUSANNA (boxing Figaro’s ears) Listen to this! MARCELLINA, BARTOLO, FIGARO SUSANNA (aside) COUNT, CURZIO |
| destiny has done this to me/him, etc. MARCELLINA (to Susanna) SUSANNA (to Bartolo) BARTOLO SUSANNA (to the Count) COUNT SUSANNA (to Curzio) CURZIO SUSANNA (to Marcellina) MARCELLINA MARCELLINA, CURZIO, COUNT, BARTOLO |
| SUSANNA (to Figaro) Your mother?FIGARO And that is my father, he’ll say so himself.SUSANNA (to Bartolo) His father?BARTOLO His father.SUSANNA (to the Count) His father?COUNT His father. SUSANNA (to Curzio) CURZIO SUSANNA (to Marcellina) MARCELLINA MARCELLINA, CURZIO, COUNT, BARTOLO |
| SUSANNA (to Figaro) Your father?FIGARO And that is my mother, who’ll say so herself, etc.CURZIO, COUNT My/his soul can barely resist any longer the fierce torture of this moment.SUSANNA, MARCELLINA, BARTOLO, FIGARO My soul can barely resist any longer the sweet delight of this moment. (The Count and Don Curzio depart.)MARCELLINA (to Bartolo) Here he is, my friend, the offspring of our old romance.BARTOLO Let’s not rake up the far distant past; he is my son, you are my spouse, and we’ll get married as soon as you like. MARCELLINA |
| SUSANNA (throwing down the purse) Take this purse too.BARTOLO (doing the same) And this as well.FIGARO Splendid! Go on throwing, and I’ll go on collecting!SUSANNA We must go and tell what’s happened to my lady and our uncle. Who is as happy as I am?FIGARO Me!BARTOLO Me! MARCELLINA ALL BARBARINA |
| and you will be the prettiest of all. CHERUBINO BARBARINA No. 19: Recitative and Aria COUNTESS |
| of that deceitful tongue? Why did not, when my life changed into tears and pain, the memory of that joy disappear from my breast? Where are the golden moments, etc. Ah! If then my constancy still loves through its sorrow, the hope yet remains of changing that ungrateful heart. Ah! If then my constancy, etc. (She leaves. The Count enters with Antonio.)ANTONIO (holding a hat in his hands) I am telling you, my lord, that Cherubino is still in the castle, and that his hat proves it.COUNT How can he be, when by this time he should have arrived in Seville?ANTONIO Forgive me; today Seville is in my house. There he dressed up as a woman and left his clothes.COUNT Rogues!ANTONIO Let’s go, and you can see for yourself. (They leave. Enter the Countess and Susanna.) |
| COUNTESS What are you saying? And what did the Count say?SUSANNA One could see that he was disgusted and enraged.COUNTESS Gently, and it will be easier to ensnare him! Where did you arrange to meet him?SUSANNA In the garden.COUNTESS We must make it more precise. Write.SUSANNA I, write to him? But my lady - COUNTESS No. 20: Dilettino SUSANNA (writing) COUNTESS |
| SUSANNA zephyr -COUNTESS will sigh this evening -SUSANNA this evening -COUNTESS beneath the pines in the thicket…SUSANNA beneath the pines?COUNTESS Beneath the pines in the thicket. SUSANNA COUNTESS SUSANNA COUNTESS COUNTESS SUSANNA |
| (Together, they reread the letter, then Susanna folds it.)SUSANNA I’ve folded the letter, but how shall I seal it?COUNTESS (removing a pin and handing it to Susanna) Here, take this pin, it will serve for a seal. Wait, write on the back of the letter, “Return the pin.”SUSANNA It’s stranger than the seal on the commission.COUNTESS Hide it quickly; I hear someone coming. (Susanna tucks the letter into her bodice. Barbarina and a group of peasant girls enter, all dressed alike and carrying posies of flowers. With them is Cherubino, dressed like the girls.)No. 21: Chorus CHORUS |
| but what little we possess we give you with a good heart.BARBARINA These girls, my lady, come from the village; the little that they have they offer you and ask you to forgive their boldness.COUNTESS How kind of you! I thank you.SUSANNA How pretty they are!COUNTESS (indicating Cherubino) Tell me, who is that charming girl with the modest air?BARBARINA She’s a cousin of mine, who arrived this evening for the wedding. COUNTESS |
| SUSANNA The living image! (Antonio and the Count enter furtively; Antonio has Cherubino’s hat with him. Creeping up behind Cherubino, he snatches the bonnet from his head and claps on the hat.)ANTONIO The great rogue! Here’s your officer!COUNTESS (aside) O heavens!SUSANNA (aside) The little rascal!COUNT (to the Countess) Well, my lady-?COUNTESS I, my lord, am as annoyed and as surprised as yourself. COUNT COUNTESS COUNT (to Cherubino) |
| CHERUBINO (quickly taking off his hat) My lord -COUNT I shall punish you for your disobedience.BARBARINA Your Excellency! You say to me so often when you hug me and kiss me: “Barbarina, if you love me you can have anything you like.”COUNT I said that?BARBARINA Yes, you. Now give me, my lord, Cherubino in marriage, and I’ll love you like I love my kitten.COUNTESS (to the Count) Well, it’s your turn now. ANTONIO (to Barbarina) COUNT (aside) |
| (Enter Figaro.) FIGARO COUNT FIGARO COUNTESS (to Susanna) SUSANNA (to the Countess) COUNT FIGARO |
| ANTONIO Meanwhile the page was galloping to Seville.FIGARO Galloping or walking, good luck to him! Come on, pretty lasses. (He tries to leave.)COUNT (blocking his way) And he left his commission behind in your pocket.FIGARO But of course! What a question!ANTONIO (to Susanna, who is making signs to Figaro) Useless to make signs to him; he doesn’t understand, (taking Cherubino by the hand and presenting him to Figaro) and here is someone who’s making my future nephew out to be a liar.FIGARO Cherubino! ANTONIO |
| FIGARO (to the Count) What the devil’s his story?COUNT No story, but he does say that he jumped into the carnations this morning.FIGARO He says that? Could be … if I jumped, it might well be that he did so too.COUNT He too?FIGARO Why not? I don’t accuse anyone of lying unless I’m sure.No. 22: Finale (The wedding march is heard in the distance.) FIGARO SUSANNA (giving her arm) COUNT |
| COUNTESS I feel cold as ice!COUNT Countess!COUNTESS Don’t speak now. Here are the two couples; we must receive them. In the end the question involves your protégée. Let us be seated.COUNT Let us be seated (aside) and meditate on revenge. (They sit. Enter hunters with guns slung over their shoulders. Village folk, peasant boys and girls. Two young girls carry in the hat of white feathers; two more a white veil, two others gloves and a posy of flowers. Then come Figaro with Marcellina and Bartolo with Susanna. Bartolo leads Susanna to the Count; she kneels and receives the hat, etc. from him. Figaro likewise take Marcellina to the Countess.) TWO GIRLS Faithful lovers, zealous in honour, sing the praises of such a wise master. Renouncing a right that insults and offends, he renders you spotless to yourlovers. |
| CHORUS Sing the praises of such a wise master! (While kneeling before the Count Susanna tugs at his robe and shows him a note; she raises her hand to her head and the Count under the pretence of adjusting her hat takes the note and hides it. Susanna pays her respects and rises. Figaro goes to receive her. They dance the fandango. Marcellina rises presently and Bartolo steps up to receive her from the Countess.)COUNT (takes out the note and reacts as if he has pricked his finger; shakes it, presses it, sucks it, and seeing that the note was sealed with a pin, throws the pin on the floor, saying:) Hmmm, as usual…women have pins sticking out everywhere. Ah! Ah! I get the idea!FIGARO (to Susanna) That was a love-letter that someone gave him in passing, and it was sealed with a pin, on which he hurt his finger. The Narcissus is looking for it. Oh, what foolishness!COUNT Come, my friends, and for this evening let all the trappings of a wedding be made ready with richest magnificence. I want the feast to be a grand one; songs, torches, a grand feast and a ball. And all shall see how I treat those who are dear to me.CHORUS Faithful lovers, etc. |
LE NOZZE DI FIGARO AKT IV
| The castle garden (There is an arbour to the right and one to the left. Night. Barbarina enters, searching for something on the ground.)No. 23: CavatinaBARBARINA I have lost it, unhappy me! Ah, who knows where it is? I cannot find it, I have lost it, unhappy me, etc. And my cousin, and my lord - what will he say? (She leaves.)FIGARO (enters with Marcellina) Barbarina, what’s the matter?BARBARINA I’ve lost it, cousin.FIGARO What? MARCELLINA |
| BARBARINA The pin the master gave me to return to Susanna.FIGARO To Susanna, the pin? So young, yet you already do everything so well?BARBARINA What’s the matter? Are you angry with me?FIGARO Can’t you see I’m only joking? Look. (He searches on the ground for a moment, after having dexterously taken out a pin from Marcellina’s dress and gives it to Barbarina.) This is the pin the Count gave you to return to Susanna; it was sealing a letter. See how I know it all?BARBARINA Then why ask me if you know it all already?FIGARO I’m curious to know how his lordship came to give you such an errand. BARBARINA |
| to the lovely Susanna, and say to her: “This is the seal of the pine-trees!”FIGARO Aha! “Of the pine-trees.”BARBARINA Truth to tell, he added: “Take care no one sees you.” But you won’t say anything.FIGARO Of course not.BARBARINA Nothing’s worrying you, is it?FIGARO No, nothing at all. BARBARINA FIGARO MARCELLINA FIGARO |
| MARCELLINA Keep calm, my son!FIGARO This is the end, I tell you.MARCELLINA Calm, calm and more calm. This is a serious matter, and must be seriously considered. But if you think about it, we still don’t know who’s tricking who.FIGARO Ah, that pin, mother, was the same one I saw him pick up a little while ago.MARCELLINA True, but at most this gives you the right to be on your guard and suspicious. You don’t really know -FIGARO I must be crafty, then! I know where the assignation is to take place. MARCELLINA FIGARO |
| MARCELLINA I must warn Susanna quickly … I believe her to be innocent - that face, that modest air! - And supposing she were not? … ah, when we are not obsessed with self-interest every woman will march to the defence of her own poor sex against ungrateful men who only seek wrongly to oppress it. The he-goat and the she-goat live in friendship, the he-lamb and the she-lamb fight no wars. The wildest of the beasts in the forest or the plain, his mate does not constrain or use with force. Only we poor women, who love our men-folk so, are treated by these beaux so cruelly without cause. (She goes out.) (Enter Barbarina, alone, carrying some fruits and sweetmeats.)BARBARINA ‘In the arbour on the left’, he said. This is it! And if he doesn’t come? My word, What generosity! Begrudging me an orange, a pear, a cake! ‘Who is it for, miss?’ - ‘Oh, for a gentleman.’ ‘We know that!’ Well! My lord hates him and I love him. But it cost me a kiss - no matter. Perhaps |
| someone will give it back to me. (She hears someone coming.) I’m lost! (Frightened, she runs into the arbour on the left.) (Figaro enters wearing a cloak and carrying a small lantern)FIGARO (to himself) ‘Tis Barbarina! (aloud) Who goes there?BASILIO (enters with Bartolo and a group of workers) Those who you invited.BARTOLO What a grim face! You look like a conspirator! What the devil are all these sinister preparations for?FIGARO You’ll see in a little while. This is where we shall celebrate the rite between my virtuous bride and the feudal lord.BASILIO Ah, good, good, I understand now: |
| (aside) They’ve come to an agreement without my help.FIGARO Don’t you move from here. Meanwhile I’m going to issue some instructions and I’ll be back in a minute. When I whistle, come quickly. (All go off, except Bartolo and Basilio.)BASILIO He’s in a fine old state!BARTOLO What’s happened?BASILIO Nothing. The Count fancies Susanna, she agreed to an assignation and Figaro is put out.BARTOLO Well? He should just put up with it. BASILIO |
| In those years, when inexperience made my judgement worthless, I, too, was foolishly impulsive, played the fool I now abjure. But with time and dangers met, Dame Common Sense appeared chased the whims and stubbornness from my silly head. To a little cabin she led me one fine day, and from the wall of that quiet hut an ass’s skin she took. ‘Take this, my son,’ she said, Then she went and left me. While I looked at the gift in silent wonder, the sky grew dark, the thunder rolled, mixed with hail, the rain beat down. I might as well protect my limbs with the ass’s coat, I thought. The storm passed; scarce two steps I take when a dreadful wild beast confronts me, I can feel already the greedy teeth upon me, and hope is dead. But the foetid smell |
| of my covering destroyed the beast’s appetite, and in disgust it turned and slunk back to its forest lair. Thus fate taught me a lesson, that shame, danger, disgrace and death may be warded off by the skin of an ass. (They leave.)No. 26: Recitative and AriaFIGARO (enters alone, with the cloak) Everything is ready: the hour must be near. I hear them coming; it’s she; no, it’s no one. The night is dark, and I’m already beginning to ply the foolish trade of cuckolded husband. Traitress! At the moment of my wedding ceremony he enjoyed reading her letter, and seeing him I laughed at myself without knowing it. Oh, Susanna, Susanna, how much pain have you cost me! With that artless face, with those innocent eyes, who would have believed it! Ah, it’s always madness to trust a woman! Open your eyes for a moment, rash and foolish men, look at these women, look at what they are. You call them goddesses, with your befuddled senses, and pay them tribute with your weakened minds. |
| They are witches who work spells to make you miserable, sirens who sing to make you drown, screech-owls that lure you to pluck out your feathers, comets that flash to take away your light. They are thorny roses, cunning vixens, hugging bears, spiteful doves, masters of deceit, friends of trouble, who pretend, lie, feel no love, feel no pity, no, no, no, no, no! The rest I won’t say, because everyone knows it already. Open your eyes for a moment, etc. (He hides among the trees.) (Susanna and the Countess enter, disguised in each other’s clothes, followed by Marcellina.)SUSANNA My lady, Marcellina told me Figaro would be coming here.MARCELLINA He’s here already; lower your voice. |
| SUSANNA So one of them is eavesdropping and the other is about to come to look for me. Let’s begin!MARCELLINA I shall hide in here. (enters the arbour into which Barbarina went)SUSANNA My lady, you’re shivering; are you chilly?COUNTESS The air is damp; I’ll go in now.FIGARO (aside) This is the moment of crisis.SUSANNA Under these trees, if my lady will allow me, I shall stay to enjoy the coolness for half an hour. FIGARO (aside) COUNTESS SUSANNA (under her breath) |
| No. 27: Recitative and Aria SUSANNA FIGARO (aside) CHERUBINO (enters singing) COUNTESS (aside) |
| CHERUBINO I can hear someone; I’ll go in here, where Barbarina went. (seeing the Countess) Oh! I can see a woman!COUNTESS Now I’m in trouble!CHERUBINO Surely not! from that hat I can just see in the dark, that must be Susanna.COUNTESS If the Count should come now, O cruel fate!No. 28: FinaleCHERUBINO Softly now I’ll come closer to you, we shall not waste any time. COUNTESS CHERUBINO |
| COUNTESS (trying to get away) Presumptuous, impudent boy, go away from here immediately, etc.CHERUBINO Skittish, cunning girls, I already know why you’re here, etc.COUNT (from a distance) That must be my Susanna!SUSANNA, FIGARO Here comes the fowler!CHERUBINO Don’t try to play the tyrant with me!SUSANNA, COUNT, FIGARO Ah, my heart is pounding in my breast! COUNTESS SUSANNA, COUNT, FIGARO CHERUBINO SUSANNA, COUNT, FIGARO COUNTESS |
| CHERUBINO And why can’t I do what the Count is going to do?SUSANNA, COUNTESS, COUNT, FIGARO Rash boy!CHERUBINO Why make a face? You know that I was behind the chair!SUSANNA, COUNTESS, COUNT, FIGARO If the rake stays much longer he’ll ruin everything.CHERUBINO (trying to kiss the Countess) I’ll take it anyway! (The Count steps between them and receives the kiss himself.)COUNTESS, then CHERUBINO Heavens! The Count! (Cherubino runs to hide in the left-hand arbour.) FIGARO COUNT |
| FIGARO, COUNTESS, COUNT, SUSANNA Ah! I have/he has made quite a gain through my curiosity/his temerity, etc. (Figaro and Susanna go off in opposite directions.)COUNT At last the rogue has gone, come nearer, my dearest.COUNTESS If it please you thus, here I am, sir.FIGARO What a complaisant woman! What a good-hearted wife!COUNT Give me your hand.COUNTESS I give it to you. COUNT FIGARO COUNT |
| SUSANNA, COUNTESS, FIGARO Blind precipitousness deludes reason and always tricks the senses, etc.COUNT Besides your dowry, beloved, receive this jewel, offered by a lover in pledge of his love. (He gives her a ring.)COUNTESS Susanna owes eveything to her benefactor.SUSANNA, COUNT, FIGARO Everything is going perfectly! But the best is coming yet.COUNTESS Sir, I can see the light from bright torches.COUNT Let us enter, my fair Venus. Let us go in and hide, etc. SUSANNA, FIGARO COUNTESS |
| COUNT It is my wish: you know that I don’t want to go inside and read.FIGARO The traitress is following him; doubts are foolish now.SUSANNA, COUNTESS The rogues are in the trap, the affair is beginning well.COUNT Who goes there?FIGARO None of your business!COUNTESS It’s Figaro! I’m going! COUNT FIGARO |
| SUSANNA (in a feigned voice) Hey, Figaro, keep your voice down!FIGARO Oh, there is the Countess. You come at a perfect moment to see for yourself the Count with my wife. You’ll be able to touch them with your very own hand.SUSANNA (forgetting to alter her voice) Speak a little lower; from the spot I shall not move until I am avenged.FIGARO (aside) Susanna! (aloud) Avenged?SUSANNA Yes.FIGARO How can that be done? The vixen is trying to catch me, and I’m going to help her, etc. SUSANNA FIGARO (with comic affectation) |
| SUSANNA Get up, not a word!FIGARO Ah, Madame!SUSANNA Get up, not a word!FIGARO Here I am at your feet, with my heart full of fire. Look around you, and remember the betrayer!SUSANNA How my hand is itching!FIGARO I can hardly breathe! SUSANNA FIGARO SUSANNA FIGARO |
| SUSANNA (in her natural voice, boxing his ears) Help yourself, sir.FIGARO You slapped me!SUSANNA Yes, I did! Here’s another, and another and still another.FIGARO Don’t beat me so furiously!SUSANNA And another, you sharper, and then still one more!FIGARO Oh, most gracious blows! Oh, perfect love! etc. SUSANNA FIGARO |
| SUSANNA My voice?FIGARO The voice I adore.SUSANNA, FIGARO Peace, peace, my sweet treasure, peace, peace, my gentle beloved. (The Count returns.)COUNT I cannot find her, and I’ve combed the forest.SUSANNA, FIGARO That’s the Count. I recognise his voice.COUNT Hey, Susanna, are you deaf or dumb? SUSANNA FIGARO SUSANNA FIGARO SUSANNA |
| SUSANNA, FIGARO Let’s terminate this farce, my beloved, and console this capricious lover, etc. (Figaro throws himself at her feet.)FIGARO Yes, Madame, you are the light of my life.COUNT My wife? Ah, I have no weapons!FIGARO Will you grant a cure for my heart?SUSANNA Here I am, I’ll do as you wish.COUNT Ah, scandalous, scandalous! SUSANNA, FIGARO COUNT FIGARO (feigning great fright) |
| COUNT My men, help, help! (Enter Antonio, Basilio, Bartolo and Don Curzio.)FIGARO I’m lost!BASILIO, CURZIO, ANTONIO, BARTOLO What happened?COUNT The villain has betrayed me, has defamed me, and you shall see with whom.BASILIO, CURZIO, ANTONIO, BARTOLO I’m amazed, confounded, I can’t believe it’s true.FIGARO They’re amazed, confounded. Oh, what a scene, what fun! (Going to the arbour the Count hands out, in turn, Cherubino, Barbarina, Marcellina and Susanna.) COUNT ANTONIO |
| FIGARO My mother!BASILIO, CURZIO, ANTONIO, BARTOLO Madame!COUNT The plot is revealed, and there is the deceiver.SUSANNA (kneeling) Pardon, pardon!COUNT No, no, do not expect it!FIGARO (kneeling) Pardon, pardon! COUNT ALL EXCEPT THE COUNT COUNT COUNTESS |
| BASILIO, CURZIO, COUNT, ANTONIO, BARTOLO Heaven! What do I see? I’m raving! Going crazy! I don’t know what to believe.COUNT (kneeling) Countess, your pardon! Pardon!COUNTESS I am more clement, and answer, yes.ALL Ah! All shall be made happy thereby. Only love can resolve this day of torments, caprice and folly, into joy and happiness. Spouses and sweethearts, to dancing and fun, and let’s have some fireworks! And to the sound of a gay march hurry off to celebrate, etc.End of the Opera |
Reproduced with express permission from http://www.murashev.com/opera/
Peter Lutz, opera-inside, the online opera guide, Synopsis
This post is also available in: German
Leave a Reply
Want to join the discussion?Feel free to contribute!