Porgi amor qualche ristoro

Aria: Porgi amor

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 my exploration of some of the operatic works by Mozart; here's the Countessa's first aria from Act II of Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro".

The listener is transported back to the 18th Century, into a large magnificent room with an alcove (small dressing room) on the left and a door in the background, leading to the servants' quarters. There is a large window at the side, where the Countess is standing. She feels betrayed, desolate and vulnerable, and through this song laments her husband's infidelity.

To understand the complexities behind this character, we must first understand who she is and where she came from. Based on a stage comedy by Pierre Beaumarchais, "La folle journée, ou le Mariage de Figaro "(1784), the Countess Almaviva of Seville is actually Rosina, the former ward of Dr. Bartolo. Under his protection and guardianship she lived a sheltered life and was never allowed much freedom. He kept the young Rosina locked up in his estate, and as a pastime allowed her to take-up singing lessons with Don Basilio, music master at her estate; Dr. Bartolo's close friend.

Rosina met the young Count by accident when she was in Madrid. He fell in love with her at first sight and immediately followed her back to Seville. Never having spoken to her, the Count decides to woo her and conspires a plot with the town's barber, Figaro (a former servant of his), who he meets by chance on the streets of Seville.

Rosina notices the Count talking to Figaro from her window and purposely drops a sheet of music outside her window. While Dr. Bartolo scurries down to retrieve it she advises the Count to deliver it up himself. Meanwhile, she writes him a secret note advising him to explain who he is and why he has followed her to Seville, by way of singing his answer to the tune of the song! The Count obeys and through a short serenade says his name is "Lindoro", a poor university student who is in love with her (a disguise so that she may love him for him and not his money). She requites his love with another serenade.

The enamored Count later disguises himself as a soldier and music teacher to break into the estate and be close to Rosina. The lovers correspond through letters and meet up secretly. Dr. Bartolo, who is very protective of Rosina, wants to marry her himself so that he could inherit her substantial dowry. Basilio who knows of Dr. Bartolo's plans tell him that the young man may be Count Almaviva and that he must act fast! Dr. Bartolo consequently finds Rosina and tells her that the man she is falling in love with, is actually working for a womanizing Count, who plans to have his agents kidnap her! She believes this nonsense and decides to confront "Lindoro".

The Count and Figaro break back into the estate and worry about how to break the news to Rosina about the Count's ture identity. An angered Rosina suddenly appears and tells "Lindoro" that she knows about his plot and the womanizing count. Unable to finish her thoughts, she is caught off-guard by Figaro, who absent mindlessly refers to the Count as "My Lord". At this point the Count finally reveals his true identity and Rosina forgives him! They both rush off to the judge to be married, accompanied by Figaro and the reluctant Basilio (who was threatened by the Count to be another witness at the ceremony). In the end Rosina marries the Count and offers her dowry to Dr. Bartolo as a peace agreement.

It is no surprise that a noble woman such as the Countess, with such a past, should feel the way she feels. Her heart has been broken and she desperately wishes she could repair the beautiful relationship she once had with her husband. She yearns for normalcy.

Gundula Janowitz is singing the role of the Countess and Karl Böhm conducts the Orchester der Deutschen Oper Berlin in this particular recording.

Enjoy!

La Bella Contessina

LIBRETTO:

ARIA

CONTESSA
Porgi amor, qualche ristoro
Al mio duolo, a' miei sospiri:
O mi rendi il mio tesoro
O mi lascia almen morir.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION:

COUNTESS
Bring me, O love, some relief
To my sorrow, to my sighs;
O give me back my loved one
Or in mercy let me die.