The Marriage of Figaro: Music for the Opera
Contents
The Marriage of Figaro: Music for the Opera is an album by Italian composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
The Marriage of Figaro: Music for the Opera
The Marriage of Figaro: Music for the Opera, is a composition by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The piece was composed in 1786, and is one of the most popular pieces from the opera The Marriage of Figaro.
The Marriage of Figaro: The History of the Opera
The Marriage of Figaro, K.492, is an opera buffa (comic opera) in four acts composed in 1786 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, with a libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte. The libretto is based on a stage comedy by Pierre Beaumarchais, La folle journée, ou le Mariage de Figaro (“The Mad Day, or The Marriage of Figaro”), first performed in 1784. It follows the characters of the play from the original, who are retained in the opera.
The overture has become one of the best-known and most recognized pieces of classical music. The work was originally a collaboration between Mozart and Da Ponte that began in 1785, when the latter persuaded the former to turn Beaumarchais’s play into an opera buffa.
The Marriage of Figaro: The Characters in the Opera
The Marriage of Figaro is an opera in four acts by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, with a libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte. The marriage of Figaro is one of the great comic operas of all time. It has been said that if one knows only one opera, it should be this one.
The story takes place in Seville, Spain during the late 18th century. The plot revolves around Figaro, a clever barber, and his fiancée Susanna, who is the headstrong Countess Almaviva’s maidservant. Susanna is being courted by the count, who is Figaro’s employer. The count desires Susanna and tries to woo her away from Figaro. Meanwhile, Figaro is also trying to outwit his master by helping Susanna with her own plans to thwart the count’s advances.
The opera features some of Mozart’s most beautiful and memorable music. Among the best-known pieces are “Non so più cosa son” (I no longer know what I am), in which the lovesick Cherubino pines for 13 different ladies; “Ecco ridente in cielo” (Behold, sky smiles), in which Susanna sings of her love for Figaro; “Dove sono i bei momenti” (Where are those moments), in which the Countess reminisces about happier times in her marriage; and the duet “Sull’aria…che soave zeffiretto” (On the breeze…what a gentle little zephyr), in which the lovers declare their undying love for each other.
The Marriage of Figaro: The Plot of the Opera
The Marriage of Figaro is an opera buffa (‘comic opera’) in four acts composed in 1786 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, with a libretto in Italian by Lorenzo Da Ponte. The story begins with Count Almaviva’s servant Figaro being summoned by his fiancee Susanna, the Countess Almaviva’s maid. Susanna has been bedeviled by the Count, who has been making unwelcome advances toward her. Figaro vows to help his fiancee by devising a plan to teach the amorous count a lesson.
The plot thickens when the Countess herself becomes attracted toFigaro andSusanna pretends to be interested in the young page Cherubino, whom the Count also finds attractive. A series of humorous events follows, leading to a climactic scene in which all of the characters confront each other about their various affairs. Ultimately, order is restored and the marriage of Figaro and Susanna goes ahead as planned.
The Marriage of Figaro is one of Mozart’s most popular operas and has been performed countless times since its premiere in 1786. The work’s themes of love, fidelity, and class relations are as relevant today as they were over 200 years ago.
The Marriage of Figaro: The Music of the Opera
The Marriage of Figaro is a classic opera that has charmed audiences for centuries. The story is set in 18th century Spain and follows the antics of the title character, Figaro, as he attempts to help his master, Count Almaviva, woo the beautiful Countess Rosine. Along the way, there are mistaken identities, comic misunderstandings, and plenty of opportunities for some gorgeous arias.
The Marriage of Figaro was composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1786, and the music is widely considered to be some of the best ever written for an opera. The overture is particularly famous and is often played on its own as a concert piece. If you’re new to opera, or just want to enjoy some beautiful music, put on The Marriage of Figaro and settle back for a treat.