Le Nozze di Figaro: 3. Cavatina

Question 1

3. Cavatina Figaro main points:

Answer 1

• Gentle 3/4 ‘dance’ minuet
• Large use of 3rd and phrase endings
• First 16 bars AABA - really strong structure
• Rhythmic sequences - B18 minor 6 interval
• Large interval jumps showing confidence
• Crotchets showing his determination and confidence
• Alternating between high and low vocal tessitura
• ‘LOOK OUT COUNT’ - really means what he’s singing - singing in crotchets and rhythmic sequences
• Falling intervals, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 < B50 “slyly” on 2 menacing dim7 chord - 2 bar phrases supports text
• B60 - D minor - Use of inner A pedal
• B63 - dramatic pause using phrygian cadence
• B64 - 2/4, 2 bar sequences - B75 “I’ll beat him yet” secure and final

Question 2

3. Cavatina Figaro detailed points:

Answer 2

• Tonic - F major
• Figaro is figuratively speaking ‘directly’ to the count
• Staccato pizz echo guitar strings
• B20 break in predictability
• B22-24 inner tonic pedal - 4 note descending scale shows his determination
• B27 takes us to C major - with a very clear delivery of the text
• B31 - high vocal tessitura - no ambiguity
• B33 low vocal tessitura - stark warnings
• B64 tonic, trills give energy to the weaker beats in the accomp
• B97 counter melody in accomp
• B100 - octaves descending through D7 chord - strong