Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s
Le Nozze di Figa The Washington Opera’s Student Guide Set near Seville, Spain, in the late eighteenth century
ct 1 A room in the castle of the Count It is Susanna and Figaro’s wedding day! They are so excited. Figaro is measuring their new room for furniture while Susanna wishes he were paying more attention to her. She tells Figaro she is worried about the Count’s attention. Susanna and Figaro vow to catch the Count in his own trap. Marcellina enters with Dr. Bartolo. They are busy plotting their revenge on the happy couple because Figaro owes them money. Susanna enters and is angry to see Marcellina. They trade insults until Marcellina leaves. Cherubino, the page, is sad and has come to ask Susanna for help. He was caught flirting with all the girls in the castle, and the Count has ordered him to leave at once. Cherubino has a secret crush on the Countess and he sings about how nervous and excited she makes him feel. He stops as they hear someone approaching. The Count! Cherubino quickly hides. The Count comes in and tells Susanna how much he likes her, not knowing that Cherubino can hear everything he is saying. As Don Basilio enters, the Count hides too! Basilio starts gossiping about the mischievious
Produced in partnership with Pittsburgh Opera Cherubino and his infatuation for the Countess. The Count becomes angry and jealous and reveals himself. While he is talking, the Count finds Cherubino hiding. Now Cherubino is really in trouble! When the Count learns that Cherubino has overheard everything he said to Susanna, he appoints him as an officer in his regiment to get rid of him. Cherubino must leave immediately. Figaro enters and pleads with the Count to let him stay until after the wedding, but it is no use. Cherubino must leave today.
ct 2 The chamber of the Countess. The Countess is sad and lonely as she thinks about how her husband ignores her. Susanna and Figaro enter, telling her how the Count has been bothering Susanna. They have come up with a plan that they hope will teach the Count a lesson. The Countess agrees to help them. Figaro has written a letter to Basilio that tells of a secret meeting the Countess is going to have. They know how jealous this will make him! Also, Susanna is to arrange a meeting with the Count, only they will send Cherubino dressed as a woman in her place. As Figaro leaves to begin the plan, Cherubino enters to be disguised. He shows them his commission papers for the regiment and the Countess notices