Le Nozze di Figaro: 6. Aria - Cherubino

Question 1

6. Cherubino’s Aria main points:

Answer 1

• Cut common time, bouncy
• Warm Eb major key
• Flowing melody in accomp - big dynamic changes
• Cherubino - falling 3 note motifs - 3 musical ideas
• Moves to disjunct melody capturing frantic emotions
• Addition of chromatic notes - unsettling and disturbing
• “with longing” dim7 harmony modulates between keys
• B51 c section
• Mellow tone takes us towards the end
• Skitzy, reflects at end, sad, slows to adagio, interrupted cadence before burst into life
• Affirming confident finish