Life of Mozart

—74 " LE NOZZE DI FIGARO."The majority of the characters appear in both pieces, eventsbelonging to the plot of " Figaro " are grounded on theprevious play, and it is necessary for a proper appreciationof the motives and characterisation to bear the connection ofthe two in mind :Count Almaviva having, with Figaro's help, gained the hand of Rosina,the charming ward of Doctor Bartolo, takes Figaro and Marcellina,Rosina's duenna, into his service, and retires to his castle, attended alsoby Basilio, the music-master. He soon wearies of his wife's society, andseeks distraction in the company of Susanna, the Countess's maid andFigaro's affianced bride. Basilio is again made to act the part of a gobetween.The piece begins on the day appointed for Figaro's wedding.Figaro, having learnt the Count's designs from Susanna, determines tooutwit his master, and to prevent the success of his scheme for delayingthe wedding.In this scheme the Count is offered assistance by Marcellina,who is in love with Figaro, and possesses his written undertakingto^marry her should he fail in repaying her by a certain day a sum ofmoney she has lent him. Fler dread of losing all chance of Figaro, byhis union with Susanna, induces her to call Bartolo to her assistance,and the latter is the more ready to do what he can, both that he mayrevenge himself on Figaro, and free himself from Marcellina's claimsupon him. It appears that years ago sheJiore him a son, who was kidnappedas a child. While this danger is hanging over the heads of thelovers, Susanna is sought in her room by the page Cherubino, a heedlessand beautiful youth, just budding into manhood. The Count hassurprised him with Fatichetfe, daughter of his gardener Antonio, withwhom he is himself flirting, and has discharged him from his service ;he begs Susanna to intercede for him with the Countess, his godmother,for whom he entertains an ardent passion. As they converse, they hearthe Count approaching, and Cherubino hides behind a large arm-chair;the Count has come to offer Susanna a dowry if she will consent tomeet him the same evening; she, however, vigorously repulses him.Basilio enters : the Count hides behind the same arm-chair, and Cherubinoslips round to the front, and covers himself with a cloak which liesupon the chair. Basilio reiterates to Susanna the Count's proposals,and, on her continued refusal, makes malicious allusions to the page,who is paying court not only to Susanna, but to the Countess. TheCount comes forward in a fury, orders the immediate dismissal of thepage, tells how he found him concealed in the gardener's house,and discovers him in the arm-chair. But Cherubino has been awitness to all that has passed, and, in order to conciliate and getrid of him at the same time, the Count gives him a commission inhis regiment, ordering his immediate departure for Seville, to jointhe garrison there. At this point Figaro enters at the head of thevillagers in holiday attire. The Count, at his marriage, had re-