The Marriage of Figaro

Question 1

The Marriage of Figaro background information

Answer 1

• opera buffa
• Le nozze di Figaro, ossia la folle giornata (The Marriage of Figaro or The Day of Madness)
• Wolfgang Amadeaus Mozart
• Lorenzo da Ponte (librettist)
• Italian
• source of lib.: a controversial French play by Pierre-Augustin de Beaumarchais
• comp 1786
• structure: 4 acts

Question 2

The Marriage of Figaro essay sections

Answer 2

• Principal Characters
• Plot Summary
• Overture
• Exposition: First Theme
• Second Theme
• Recapitulation
• Act 1
• “Non so più” (Cherubino’s Aria)
• “Ah! Son perduto” (Recitativo secco: Susanna, Count, Basilio
• “Cosa sento!” (Terzetto: Count, BAsilio, Susanna)

Question 3

The Marriage of Figaro Principal Characters

Answer 3

• Figaro, baritone, personal valet to the Count
• Susanna, soprano, personal maid to the Countess
• Cherubino, mezzo-soprano a young male page at the palace
• Count Almaviva, baritone, unfaithful husband to the Countess
• Countess Almaviva, soprano, neglected wife of the Count
• Basilio, tenor, the palace gossip and music teacher
• Dr. Bartolo, bass, former guardian of the Countess
• Marcellina, mezzo-soprano, former housekeeper of Dr. Bartolo
• Barbarina, soprano, Susanna’s cousin

Question 4

The Marriage of Figaro Plot Summary

Answer 4

• Figaro,and Susanna, servants in household of Count Almaviva, look forward to their wedding day
• troubled that Count wants to seduce Susanna before marriage
• Countess joins Susanna to trap te Count
• Final Act: two women switch identities (exchange outfits)
• too late when Count realize he’s seducing his wife in disguise
• Final Scene: begs wife for forgiveness, pledges love and faithfulness to her
• Sub-plot: housekeeper Marcellina attempt marry Figaro (discovers he’s her long-lost son) and charming escapades of Cherubino, a teenage boy discovering romantic love

Question 5

The Marriage of Figaro Overture

Answer 5

• D major
• modified sonata form
• Allegro
• cut time

Question 6

The Marriage of Figaro Exposition: First Theme

Answer 6

• D major
• strings rapid eigth-note figures
• joy, excitement

Question 7

The Marriage of Figaro Second theme

Answer 7

• A major

- more lyrical, less active (contrast)

Question 8

The Marriage of Figaro Recapitulation

Answer 8

• 1st and 2nd them restated in D major
• when first theme returns: unclear if repeat of exposition, start of dev, or recap (element of surprise)
• surprise: foreshadow unexpected events and playful mood of drama that follows

Question 9

The Marriage of Figaro Act 1

Answer 9

• opera open w/ Figaro measure space for bed he will share w/ bride
• Susanna try hat she will wear for wedding
• they discuss close proximity of bedroom to Count’s room, Figaro determined to outsmart Count

Question 10

The Marriage of Figaro “Non so più” (Cherubino’s Aria)

Answer 10

• E flat major
• ABAC form
• Allegro vivace
• cut time
• Cherubino in Susanna’s bedroom, sings about newly emerging feelings about love, overwheling attraction to women, confused feelings about love
• melody begin in upper register, builds higher as agitation increases
• very short phrases, separated by rests: suggest breathless passion
• Section A: E flat major
• Section B: B flat major
• Section C: slower, more reflective, end w/ spirited authentic cadence

Question 11

The Marriage of Figaro “Ah! Son perduto” (Recitativo secco: Susanna, Count, Basilio

Answer 11

• Cherubino hides in the room (fearful) when Count announces his arrival at Susanna’s bedroom
• Susanna lets count in, worries he’ll find Cherubino, and reject his advances
• Basilio enters, Count fears discovery, hides in the room
• Basilio reveal’s Cherubino’s love for Countess, Count angrily emerges from hiding place
• recitativo secco; accompanied by continuo only
• dialogue b/t Susanna and Count, then Basilio unfold quickly
• speech-like, declamatory style

Question 12

The Marriage of Figaro “Cosa sento!” (Terzetto: Count, Basilio, Susanna)

Answer 12

• end of recitative: 3 chars sing trio
• Count rage over Cherubino
• Basilio pleased with trouble he caused
• Susanna worried Count will discover Cherubino
• orchestral accompaniment
• sonata form; unexpected in context
• first theme: B flat major, sung by Count
• bridge: sung by Basilio
• Second Theme: dominant minor, sung by Susanna
• each char express emotions, create contrast and rich musical texture