Cinque..dieci..venti

"Duettino: Cinque ... dieci ... venti ... trenta & Se a caso Madama la notte ti chiama"

OPERA: LE NOZZE DI FIGARO, K.492 (1786)
COMPOSER: WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART (1756 - 1791)
LIBRETTIST: LORENZO DA PONTE
CATEGORY: OPERA BUFFA, IV ACTS

SYNOPSIS:

Continuing on my exploration of some of the operatic works by Mozart, here is the opening duet from his opera "The Marriage of Figaro."

We are transported to a partly-furnished room in the estate of Count Almaviva in Seville. There is an easy-chair in the center of the room and Figaro, with a measure in his hand, is measuring the space for the bed the Count has put aside for him. Susanna, his enamored bride-to-be, is at the mirror, trying on a hat decorated with flowers.

Sir Georg Solti conducts The London Philharmonic Orchestra in this particular recording. Samuel Ramey is singing the role of Figaro and Lucia Popp is singing the role of Susanna.

Enjoy!

La Bella Contessina

LIBRETTO:

ENGLISH TRANSLATION:

DUET

FIGARO
Five...ten...twenty...thirty...thirty-six...forty-three...

SUSANNA
(gazing into the mirror)
Yes, I'm very pleased with that;
It seems just made for me.
Take a look at this hat of mine.
(she continues to gaze at herself)

FIGARO
Yes, my dearest, it's very pretty;
It looks just made for you.

SUSANNA E FIGARO
On this morning of our wedding
How delightful to my (your) dear one
Is this pretty little hat
Which Susanna made herself

RECITATIVE

SUSANNA
What are you measuring,
My dearest Figaro?

FIGARO
I'm seeing if this bed
Which the Count has put aside for us
Will go well just here

SUSANNA
In this room?

FIGARO
Of course; his lordship's
Generously giving it to us.

SUSANNA
As far as I'm concerned, you cna keep it.

FIGARO
What's the matter?

SUSANNA
(tapping her foreheard)
I've my reasons in here.

FIGARO
(doing the same)
Why can't you
Let me in on them?

SUSANNA
Because I don't choose to.
Are you my slave, or not?

FIGARO
But I don't understand
Why you dislike
The most convenient room in the palace.

SUSANNA
Because I'm Susanna and you're crazy.

FIGARO
Thanks, you're too flattering: just see
If it could be better anywhere else.

DUET

FIGARO
Supposing my lady
Calls you at night:
Ding ding: in two steps
You can be there from here.
Or if it should happen
That his lordship should want me,
Dong dong: in three bounds
I'm there at his service.

SUSANNA
And supposing one morning
The dear Count should ring,
Ding ding, and the devil
Should lead him to my door --
In three bounds...

FIGARO
Here, here, Susanna.

SUSANNA
Listen.

FIGARO
Make it quick.

SUSANNA
If you wish to hear the rest,
Banish those suspicions
Which do me wrong.

FIGARO
I burn to hear the rest:
Doubts and suspicions
Freeze my blood.

RECITATIVE

SUSANNA
Well then, keep quiet and listen.

FIGARO
(uneasily)
Speak: what's there to tell?

SUSANNA
The noble Count,
Tired of scouring the countryside
For fresh beauties,
Wants to try his luck again
In his own palace,
Though, let me tell you, it;s not his wife
Who whets his appetite.

FIGARO
Well, who then?

SUSANNA
Your little Susanna.

FIGARO
(astonished)
You?

SUSANNA
The very same, and he's hoping
That bein so close will be most useful
To his noble project.

FIGARO
Bravo! Go on.

SUSANNA
This is the gracious favor, this the care
He bestows on you and on your wife.

FIGARO
Have you seen such condescension!
SUSANNA
Wait though: there's better to come.
Don Basilio, my singing teacher and his
Factotum, repeats the same theme daily
When he gives me my lesson.

FIGARO
What, Basilio? The scoundrel!

SUSANNA
Did you imagine he gave me a dowry
For the sake of our beaux yeux?

FIGARO
So I'd flattered myself.

SUSANNA
He intends it
To obtain from me certain half-hours....
Which feudal privilege....

FIGARO
WHAT! Didn't the Count Abolish that in his domain?

SUSANNA
He did, but now regrets it, and it seems
He wants to bring it back for me.

FIGARO
Well! Very pretty:
How charming of his lordship!
He wants some fun: he'll get it....
(a bell rings)
Who's ringing? The Countess.

SUSANNA
I must go. Goodbye, dear Figaro.

FIGARO
Courage, my dearest.

SUSANNA
And you be wary.
(exit)