Taking place on a single summer’s day, The Marriage of Figaro is Mozart’s dizzying opera full of spellbinding arias, catchy melodies and sublime ensemble singing that explore the events that threaten to thwart Figaro and Susanna’s wedding. The opera was first performed in 1786, and ever since, thanks to Mozart’s wonderful music, it has enchanted audiences the world over. Here are some of our musical highlights to listen out for...
Act One: Figaro’s cavatina Se vuol ballare
Near the beginning of Act One, Figaro decides that he will get back at his master, the Count, after Figaro discovers he is attempting to woo his fiancée, Susanna. In his cavatina Se vuol ballare, Signor Contino (If you want to dance, Sir Count) he says he will be one step ahead of the Count at every turn. The entertainment and humour come from Figaro’s repetitions of ‘saprò, saprò’ (I’ll know, I’ll know) before stopping himself from getting carried away with quick interjections of piano, piano (slowly, slowly).
It’s telling too that two horns are used to accompany Figaro here – historically, the ram’s horns represented the cuckold, the husband of an adulterous wife (i.e the music is hinting that Susanna may be cheating on him with the Count!).
Act Two: Cherubino’s aria Voi che sapete
Voi che sapete (Tell me what love is) is Cherubino’s charming aria, a song he wrote for the Countess, on whom he has a hopeless crush. It’s a revealing moment of innocence for the teenage boy, the aria speeding up in tempo as it reflects the intensity of Cherubino's feelings and overwhelm at being surrounded by two gorgeous, older women. Compared to the frantic and passionate rambling of his first aria Non so più cosa son, this aria is a gentle and extremely sweet demonstration of his inner nature.
Act Three: Susanna and the Countess’s Letter Duet
Sull’aria...Che soave zeffiretto (On the breeze…What a gentle little Zephyr), also known as the Letter Duet, is one of the most musically poignant moments in the opera. The piece is sung in a lilting, almost lullaby-style, and sees the Countess and her maid Susanna concoct a love letter for the Count, the sweet nature of the duet contrasting with their intentions to expose his infidelity. In dictating the letter to Susanna, the two invite the Count to a midnight tryst with the Countess, who will be disguised as Susanna, and both women sing of the amorous night to come.
Act Four: Finale from Gente, gente all’armi, all’armi and Questo giorno di tormenti
The celebratory ensemble finale of Act Four is the piece that draws the opera to a close and involves the whole cast onstage and full orchestra. The full finale lasts around 20 minutes in length, but these final extracts see the day of follies being set to rights after chaos and confusion.
In a moving slower moment, the Count begs his wife for forgiveness (Contessa, perdono!) and the Countess gracefully accepts his plea. The characters are returned from their mismatched couples to their original partners, and all sing a joyful Questo giorno di tormenti (Only love can resolve this day of torments) and go forth to celebrate their happy ending.
We hope these musical highlights have given you a clear idea of the thrilling, moving and beautiful moments you can expect in this wonderful opera. You can book your tickets now for WNO’s beloved production of The Marriage of Figaro, opening in Cardiff on 6 February 2025 before heading out on tour until 6 June 2025.
