The Marriage of Figaro Synopsis

Act I
Figaro, the Count’s valet, is measuring the room given to him and his fiancée, Susanna, while she admires her wedding veil (“Cinque, dieci”). Discussing the room’s close proximity to the Count’s chambers, Susanna explains to Figaro that the Count is plotting with her music teacher, Don Basilio, to convince her to sleep with the Count. She is soon called by the Countess, and Figaro is left alone in the room. He vows to outwit the count (“Se vuol ballare, signor Contino”) and exits in a rage. Dr. Bartolo enters with his housekeeper, Marcellina. Some time ago Figaro borrowed money from Marcellina and promised to marry her if he was not able to pay his debts. Dr. Bartolo vows to force this marriage as revenge for Figaro’s meddling in his past affairs (“La vendetta”). Susanna enters, and she and Marcellina exchange verbal blows (“Via resti servita, madama brillante”).

Cherubino, a young boy infatuated with the entire female gender, confesses to Susanna his love for the Countess and can’t contain his desires (“Non so piu”). The Count enters and Cherubino hides quickly behind a chair. The Count begs Susanna for a private meeting before he has to leave with Figaro on business. His flirtations are interrupted by the footsteps of Don Basilio, and now the Count must hide. The Count hears Basilio make malicious remarks about Cherubino’s desires for Susannah as well as the Countess. (“Cosa Sento!”). The Count reveals himself and discovers Cherubino. He is furious and accuses Susanna of having relations with Cherubino and banishes him to the Regiment. Figaro enters with a crowd singing praises to the Count for repealing his feudal right to sleep with brides, and upon learning of Cherubino’s fate, Figaro teases him about what is in store for the young boy (“Non più andrai”).

Act II
Unbeknownst to the Count, Susanna has informed the Countess of his affairs, and in her bedroom the Countess laments over the Count’s infidelity (“Porgi, amor”). Figaro enters with a plan. They will deliver a note to the Count, through Basilio, telling of the Countess’ new lover in order to distract the Count. Susanna will arrange a meeting with the Count in the garden; however, Cherubino will take her place dressed as a girl and the Countess can catch the Count in flagrante delicto.

Cherubino arrives with knowledge of the plan. Susanna urges Cherubino to sing a song he composed for the Countess (“Voi che sapete”). Cherubino shows the Countess his military orders while Susanna begins dressing him. The Count arrives suspicious of what may be going on. Cherubino hides in the closet, and Susanna slips into another room. Hearing a noise from the closet, the Count demands the Countess open the door. Upon her refusal the Count takes the Countess to get something to gain access to the closet, locking the door behind them. Susanna lets Cherubino out of the closet and he jumps out of the window. Susanna, herself, goes into the closet. Upon returning, the Count draws his sword and opens the closet door. They are both shocked to find Susanna (“Susanna, or via sortite”). The two ladies explain to the Count it was all a prank, including the note.

The gardener Antonio arrives abruptly exclaiming that someone jumped out of the Countess’ window and broke a flower pot. Figaro claims that it was he who had jumped, and develops a limp to support his story. All seems well and cleared up when Marcellina, Bartolo, and Basilio arrive demanding justice. They make the claim that Figaro has entered the agreement to marry Susanna in order to get a loan. The Count is relieved there may be a way to stop the marriage. Act II ends in one of opera’s greatest ensemble finales (“Vostre dunque saran queste carte”).

Act III
The Countess and Susanna are still plotting the meeting in the garden. Since Cherubino is gone the Countess will pretend to be Susanna. Susanna confronts the Count and tells him she will pay Marcellina’s loan with the dowry promised by the Count, but he remembers no such thing. She finally placates him and runs into Figaro on her way out. She tells Figaro they have won their case. The Count overhears this and plots to punish them (“Hai gia vinta la causa”). Don Curzio, the judge, enters and declares that it is decided Figaro must marry Marcellina. Figaro claims he is of noble birth and exposes a birthmark that proves it. Marcellina and Dr. Bartolo realize Figaro is their lovechild. Marcellina cancels the loan and Bartolo proposes to her, and the four go to plan a double wedding. The Countess enters lamenting the loss of love in her marriage (“Dove sono i bei momenti”). Antonio then tells the Count that he knows Cherubino is still around and they rush off to find him. The Countess and Susanna enter and the two write a letter to the Count requesting a meeting with Susanna in the garden (“Sull’aria”). It is sealed with a pin and he is to return it to confirm the meeting. Antonio finally discovers Cherubino, but the young boy is saved by Barbarina, Antonio’s daughter, who reminds the Count that he promised her anything she wanted in exchange for a few kisses. Figaro arrives and is cornered by the Count, but uses his wit to wiggle free. The wedding procession begins and the note is slipped to the Count. He is thrilled about the meeting in the garden and invites all to the wedding banquet.

Act IV
Barbarina is sulking in the garden over something lost (“L’ho perduta, me meschina!”). Figaro and Marcellina arrive and discover Barbarina is looking for the pin that the Count told her to deliver to Susanna. Figaro takes this in stride, giving her a pin to deliver to Susanna. After Barbarina departs, he becomes enraged and enlists the help of Basilio and Bartolo in hopes of catching the secret lovers. He then proclaims his disgust with women (“Aprite un po’ quegl’occhi”). Marcellina has warned Susanna that Figaro is in the garden (“Il capro e la capretta”). Susanna sings a song of love for an anonymous lover to punish Figaro’s jealousy (“Deh, vieni, non tardar, o gioia bella”). Figaro assumes they are love songs to lure the Count. She hides and dresses in the Countess’s clothes. The Count arrives and receives a kiss from Cherubino meant for Susanna. He slaps him and Cherubino flees from the garden.

The true Susanna presents herself disguised as the Countess. Figaro immediately recognizes Susanna’s voice and decides to play along and flirt with “the Countess.” Susanna is furious with his behavior until he admits he knows it’s her and the two reconcile. Upon hearing the Count return, they continue to play the joke and the Count is infuriated, seizing Figaro and calling for weapons. At this point everyone reveals themselves including Cherubino, Barbarina, Marcellina, and Susanna who is still dressed as the Countess. She and Figaro pretend to beg for forgiveness when the real Countess arrives. The Count is humbled and begs her pardon (“Contessa, perdono”). She accepts his heartfelt apology and all rejoice.