Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791) - Chandos

CHAN 3113 BOOK.qxd 20/9/06 11:24 am Page 16Figaro once more gathers the threads of thedrama and confronts his personal destiny. Thismagical moment lasts only twelve bars, beforehe is again pulled into the breathlessunravelling of the denouement. But despitewhat happens after and the Countess’sdramatic revelation, it is enough to give himback his opera – and his marriage.© 2004 Nicholas PayneSynopsisA few years before the opera begins, the CountAlmaviva had wooed and wed Rosina. She wasthe rich ward of a Dr Bartolo of Seville, whohad been planning to marry her himself toobtain her money. The Count now lives somedistance from Seville in his ancestral Manor,with Figaro as his body-servant. Figaro himselfis to be married today to Susanna, lady’s maidto none other than Rosina, the CountessAlmaviva.COMPACT DISC ONEAct IThe first act takes place in the early morningin a small service room allotted to Figaro andSusanna as their future married quarters. Thedoor to the right leads to the main hall of thecastle, that in the centre to the Countess’sapartments, and that to the left to those of theCount.1After the overture, we see Susannapreparing her wedding headdress.2Figarois measuring where their bed can go,3 – 5but when Susanna understands whatFigaro is doing, she points out that this roomis out of the question! It is not only a generalpassageway but more importantly, too easy ofaccess to the Count who is pursuing her andwould like to revive the feudal rights of theLord of the Manor. Figaro is stunned to learnof the Count’s interest in her. She respondsthat Figaro surely did not think that the dowrythat the Count has promised was due to theCount’s feelings for him.6 – 7She issummoned by the Countess and Figaroexpresses his jealous thoughts: if the Counttries to make love to Susanna, Figaro will useevery trick to upset his plans.8 – 9Dr Bartolo and his housekeeperMarcellina have come from Seville. Marcellinahas lent money to Figaro, with the provisothat if he is unable to pay it back, he will haveto marry her. Obviously until the money canbe re-paid, Figaro is not in a position to getmarried to anyone else. Marcellina asksDr Bartolo for his help; he replies that he willbe only too glad to revenge himself onFigaro.10 – 11Susanna returns, and as Marcellinais leaving they exchange some barbedcompliments.12The page boy Cherubino comes toappeal to Susanna for advice and assistance.The Count has caught him flirting withBarbarina, the gardener’s daughter, and unlessthe Countess can be persuaded to intervene,he will be sent away, never more to see hisdear Susanna or, for that matter, My Lady,whom he worships from afar. When Susannaexpresses her surprise at so many loves,13Cherubino tells her that he is in love withLove and hands her a song which he haswritten for the Countess.14The Count enters, whereuponCherubino hides himself. The Count flirtswith Susanna but his advances are interruptedby Don Basilio, the music master.15TheCount then also hides. However, when hehears what Basilio has to say aboutCherubino’s attentions to the Countess heemerges from his hiding place16 – 17andthreatens to dismiss Cherubino. He recountshow he found the boy hiding under thetablecloth in Barbarina’s cottage. As hedemonstrates how he managed to expose hispage, Cherubino is revealed again. The Countthen realises that Cherubino has overheardeverything he’s just been saying to Susanna.18 – 20Figaro now enters with his friendsto ask the Count to present Susanna with hervirginal bridal adornment, but the Count putsthis off until the official ceremony.21To getrid of Cherubino, the Count gives him acommission in his own regiment and sendshim off to Seville.22Figaro mockingly wishesCherubino well in his future military career.COMPACT DISC TWOAct IIAct Two takes place in the Countess’sapartment. The door on the right leads to themain staircase, that in the centre to Susanna’sroom, and that on the left to a small dressingroom. There is a window on the wall facing.Susanna has just left the Countess’s morningtray.1Rosina, now the Countess Almaviva,longs for the return of the love of herphilandering lord.2Susanna comes back. She had beentelling the Countess of the Count’sdiscomfiture and now adds that Figaro hassent an anonymous letter to the Count16 17