The Marriage Of Figaro

Mozart

Mozart’s famous opera is a whirlwind comedy of betrothal, betrayal and deliciously bad behaviour. Set on a single day, it packs in a dazzling procession of madcap comic schemes and setbacks, all of which are punctuated by some of the most sublime music ever written. This is Mozart at the height of his powers.

The story

When the cheating Count Almaviva makes advances on Susannah, his servant’s wife-to-be, Figaro’s marriage threatens to end before it has started. The household takes sides. Deception, disguise and double cross are the result, as the warring factions make Figaro’s love-life a comic battleground.

The score

Considered one of the greatest operas ever written, The Marriage of Figaro has a masterful balance of light and shade. Its playful, bubbling overture carries its pace and comic tone. Meanwhile the arias and ensemble pieces capture the rich characterisation and the deeply moving rift – and reconciliation – of Figaro and Susannah. Many of the arias are now world famous, including ‘Voi che sapete’ (‘Tell me what love is’) and ‘Non piú andrai’ (‘Here’s an end to your life as a wanderer’) which is performed yearly at Trooping the Colour.

For consistency with other translations in this doc I’ve switched the order of the arias so it’s the original language then the English translation. I also suggest using ‘wanderer’ instead of ‘rover’ as more everyday language.