Lyric Opera 2024-2025 Issue 4 - Figaro

Lyric Opera of Chicago | 22 in the closet. The Count is confronting his wife with the letter when a noise issues from the closet. The Countess claims that it is Susanna, but refuses to unlock the door (Trio: Susanna, or via sortite ). Accompanied by his reluctant wife, the Count leaves to fetch tools to force the closet door open, locking the boudoir door on his way out. Once the two have left, Cherubino jumps out the window, and Susanna takes his place in the closet. When the closet door opens (Finale: Esci ormai, garzon malnato ) Susanna steps out, to the Almavivas’ astonishment. The Count’s suspicions are nearly assuaged, excepting the anonymous letter. The ladies reply that this was Figaro’s little joke, but Figaro arrives and denies any knowledge of it. The Count becomes doubly suspicious when Antonio, the gardener, reports that he saw a man jump out the window, leaving behind a military commission as evidence. Assisted by Basilio and Bartolo, Marcellina attempts to present her case before the Count. INTERMISSION ACT III Great hall of the castle. Now with a plan of her own, the Countess orders Susanna to lure the Count to a rendezvous, to be kept by the Countess in disguise. Susanna carries out her mission (Duettino: Crudel, perchè finora ). Upon overhearing Susanna whisper to Figaro that they have won their case, the Count vows to punish them both (Aria: Vedrò, mentr’io sospiro ). While awaiting Susanna’s reply, the Countess is saddened to be reduced to these intrigues. Recalling happier days (Aria: Dove sono ), she vows to change the Count’s heart. With their lawyer Don Curzio, Marcellina and Bartolo entreat the Count for justice, but Figaro insists that he cannot marry without his parents’ consent. Unfortunately, since he was kidnapped in infancy, their identity remains a mystery to him. A birthmark reveals that Marcellina and Bartolo are the parents (Sextet: Riconosci in questo amplesso ). Arriving with money to pay Figaro’s debt, Susanna discovers him embracing Marcellina. Fury turns to joy when Susanna learns the truth — now there will be a double wedding. The Count learns from Antonio that Cherubino is still in the vicinity. A letter is dictated by the Countess to Susanna (Duettino: Sull’aria ) and sealed with a pin. Susanna will deliver it to the Count, who will return the pin to her as a sign that the rendezvous will be kept. When the disguised Cherubino appears with some village girls, Antonio detects his identity. Barbarina saves the day by claiming Cherubino as her promised reward for a kiss she had given the Count. Seeing the Count prick his finger while reading the letter, Figaro surmises that a love intrigue is involved. ACT IV The garden. Later that night, Barbarina searches for the pin, having dropped it in the garden (Cavatina: L’ho perduta ). She explains to Figaro and Marcellina that the Count asked her to deliver the pin to Susanna “as the seal to the pine grove,” thus informing Figaro of the location of the tryst and the identity of the lady. Figaro rushes off to avenge all husbands, while Marcellina resolves to warn Susanna. Returning with Basilio, Bartolo, and a group of workmen, Figaro instructs them to hide until he gives the signal to surprise the Count and Susanna. Figaro rails against womankind (Aria: Aprite un po’ quegli occhi ). Marcellina informs Susanna that Figaro is waiting in ambush. Susanna exaggeratedly longs for her beloved — fully aware that he is listening (Cavatina: Deh! vieni, non tardar ). Disguised as Susanna, the Countess is visited first by Cherubino (Finale: Pian pianin le andrò più presso ), then by her own husband, who offers a ring as a token of his love for “Susanna.” At the sound of Figaro’s arrival, the Countess flees. Disguised as her mistress, Susanna meets Figaro, and once he recognizes her voice, they reconcile their differences. The Count interrupts, thinking he has caught his wife with Figaro. Everyone emerges from hiding, and when the real Countess appears, the Count realizes that it is his own infidelities that have been revealed. The Countess forgives him, and Figaro’s wedding celebration commences, finally unencumbered. Synopsis continued