“Le nozze di Figaro” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart libretto (English)

Contents: Cast; Act One; Act Two; Act Three; Act Four

ACT THREE

A great hall in the castle, festively decked for a
wedding.

COUNT (pacing up and down)
What a situation this is!
An anonymous letter,
the maid shut in the closet,
my lady in a state of confusion, a man who leaps
from the balcony into the garden, another one
who says that it was him;
I don't know what to think. Could it perhaps
be one of my servants? Such people
are habitually presumptuous. But the Countess -
ah, there one cannot doubt without offence!
She has too much self-respect,
and respect for my honour too. My honour -
where, devil take it, human frailty exists!
(The Countess and Susanna enter but stop by the
door, unseen by the Count.)

COUNTESS
Go on! Pluck up your courage
and tell him to wait for you in the garden.

COUNT (aside)
I shall soon know
if Cherubino got to Seville;

I sent Basilio to find out.

SUSANNA
Oh heavens! And Figaro?

COUNTESS
You need say nothing to him,
for I myself shall go instead of you.

COUNT
He should be back before evening.

SUSANNA
Oh God! I'm afraid -

COUNTESS
Remember my peace of mind is your hands.
(She leaves.)

COUNT
And Susanna? Who knows, she may have
revealed my secret; oh, if she has said anything,
I shall make the old one the bride.

SUSANNA (aside)
Marcellina!
(to the Count)
My lord!

COUNT
What is it you want?

SUSANNA
You do look angry!

COUNT
Do you want something?

SUSANNA
My lord, your lady
has had one of her dizzy attacks
and begs the loan of your smelling-salts.

COUNT
Take it.

SUSANNA
I'll bring it straight back.

COUNT
Ah no;
keep it yourself.

SUSANNA
For myself?
Common women
don't suffer such ailments.

COUNT
Not even when a girl loses her beloved
when she is on the point of having him for her own?

SUSANNA
By paying off Marcellina
with the dowry you promised me...

COUNT
That I promised you! When?

SUSANNA
That's what I had understood.

COUNT
Yes, had you been willing
to understand me yourself.

SUSANNA
It is my duty,
and your Excellency's wish is my command.

No. 16: Duet

COUNT
Heartless! Why until now
did you leave me to languish?

SUSANNA
Sir, every lady
has her time to say yes.

COUNT
Then you'll come to the garden?

SUSANNA
If it pleases you, I'll come.

COUNT
And you won't fail me?

SUSANNA
No, I won't fail you.

COUNT
You'll come?

SUSANNA
Yes.

COUNT
You won't fail me?

SUSANNA
No.

COUNT
You won't fail me?

SUSANNA.
No, I won't fail you.

COUNT
My contented heart
now feels full of joy!

SUSANNA
Forgive me if I am lying,
all you who understand love's ways!

COUNT
Then you'll come to the garden?

SUSANNA
If it pleases you, I'll come.

COUNT
And you won't fail me?

SUSANNA
No, I won't fail you.

COUNT
You'll come?

SUSANNA
Yes.

COUNT
You won't fail me?

SUSANNA
No.

COUNT
So you'll come?

SUSANNA
No!

COUNT
No?

SUSANNA
I mean, yes, if you wish it.

COUNT
You'll not fail me?

SUSANNA
No!

COUNT
So you'll come?

SUSANNA
Yes!

COUNT
You'll not fail me?

SUSANNA
Yes!

COUNT
Yes?

SUSANNA
I mean, no, I'll not fail you...

COUNT
My contented heart, etc.

SUSANNA
Forgive me if I am lying, etc.

COUNT
And why were you
so cold to me this morning?

SUSANNA
With the page there?

COUNT
And to Basilio,
when he spoke for me?

SUSANNA
But what need have we
of someone like Basilio -

COUNT
True, true,
and promise me now -
if you fail me, dear hear t -
But the Countess
is waiting for the salts.

SUSANNA
That was only a pretext,
without which I could not have spoken.

COUNT (trying to kiss her)
Sweetheart!

SUSANNA
Someone's coming.

COUNT (aside)
She's mine for sure.

SUSANNA (aside)
Hope in vain, my cunning sir!
(She turns to leave, but meets Figaro in the doorway.)

FIGARO
Hey, Susanna, where are you going?

SUSANNA
Quiet; you've won your case
without a lawyer.

(leaves)

FIGARO
What has happened?
(follows her)

No. 17: Recitative and Aria

COUNT
Their case is won! What's that? What trap have I
fallen into? Tricksters! I'm going to...I'm going to
punish you in such a way...the punishment shall be
what I choose...But what if he should pay the old
suitor? Pay her! With what? And then there is
Antonio, who will refuse to give his niece in
marriage to the upstart Figaro. By flattering the
pride of that half-wit...Everything's falling into my
scheme...I'll strike while the iron's hot.
Shall I live to see
a servant of mine happy
and enjoying pleasure
that I desire in vain?
Shall I see the hand of love
unite a lowly person
to one who arouses feelings in me
she does not feel herself?
Shall I live to see, etc.
Ah no! I shall not leave
that carefree creature in peace;
you were not born, bold fellow,
to give me torment
or perhaps to laugh
at my unhappiness.
Now only hope

of my revenge
consoles my soul
and makes me rejoice!
Ah, I shall not leave, etc.
(Enter Marcellina, Don Curzio, Figaro and Bartolo.)

CURZIO
The dispute has been resolved:
Pay her or marry her. No more to be said.

MARCELLINA
I breathe again!

FIGARO
And I'm done for!

MARCELLINA (aside)
At last I shall be the wife of a man I adore.

FIGARO (to the Count)
My lord, I appeal...

COUNT
The ruling is a fair one, either pay up or marry.
Well done, Don Curzio.

CURZIO
Your Lordship is most kind!

BARTOLO
What a magnificient ruling!

FIGARO
What makes it magnificent?

BARTOLO
We're all avenged -

FIGARO
I shan't marry her.

BARTOLO
You will.

CURZIO
Either pay her or marry her. She lent you
two thousand crowns.

FIGARO
I am a gentleman, and without
the consent of my noble parents -

COUNT
Where are they? Who are they?

FIGARO
Let me go on looking;
after ten years I hope to find them.

BARTOLO
So you're a foundling?

FIGARO
No, lost, doctor, or rather, stolen.

COUNT
How?

MARCELLINA
What?

BARTOLO
Any proof?

CURZIO
Any evidence?

FIGARO
The gold, the gems, the embroidered clothes
which, as a baby,
were found on me by the robbers,
these are the real proofs
of my noble birth; and, above all, this mark here
on my arm -

MARCELLINA
A spatula stamped on your right arm?

FIGARO
Who told you?

MARCELLINA
Oh God!
It's him!

FIGARO
True, it's me!

CURZIO
Who?

COUNT
Who?

BARTOLO
Who?

MARCELLINA
Raffaello!

BARTOLO
And you were stolen by robbers?

FIGARO
Near a castle.

BARTOLO
There is your mother.

FIGARO
Nurse?

BARTOLO
No; your mother.

CURZIO, COUNT
His mother?

FIGARO
What are you saying?

MARCELLINA
There is your father.

No. 18: Sextet

MARCELLINA (embracing Figaro)
Recognise in this embrace
your mother, beloved son.

FIGARO (to Bartolo)
My father, do the same,
and let me no longer be ashamed.

BARTOLO (embracing Figaro)
Resistance, my conscience
no longer lets you rule.
(Figaro embraces his parents.)

CURZIO
He's his father? She's his mother?
It's too late for the wedding now.

COUNT
I'm astounded, I'm abashed,
I'd better get out of here.

MARCELLINA, BARTOLO
Beloved son!

FIGARO
Beloved parents!
(Susanna enters.)

SUSANNA
Stop, stop, noble sir.
I have a thousand double crowns right here.
I come to pay for Figaro
and to set him at liberty.

MARCELLINA, BARTOLO
Beloved son!

CURZIO, COUNT
We're not sure what's taking place.
Look over there a moment.

FIGARO
Beloved parents!

SUSANNA
(seeing Figaro hugging Marcellina)
So he's reconciled with his bride;
ye gods, what infidelity!
(She wants to leave but Figaro detains her.)
Leave me alone, villain!

FIGARO
No, wait!
Listen, darling!

SUSANNA (boxing Figaro's ears)
Listen to this!

MARCELLINA, BARTOLO, FIGARO
A natural action of a good heart,
pure love is demonstrated here, etc.

SUSANNA (aside)
I'm boiling, I'm raging with fury;
an old woman has done this to me. etc.

COUNT, CURZIO
I'm/he's boiling, I'm/he's raging with fury;

destiny has done this to me/him, etc.

MARCELLINA (to Susanna)
Calm your anger,
my dear daughter,
embrace his mother,
and yours as well, now.

SUSANNA (to Bartolo)
His mother?

BARTOLO
His mother.

SUSANNA (to the Count)
His mother?

COUNT
His mother.

SUSANNA (to Curzio)
His mother?

CURZIO
His mother.

SUSANNA (to Marcellina)
His mother?

MARCELLINA
His mother.

MARCELLINA, CURZIO, COUNT, BARTOLO
His mother!

SUSANNA (to Figaro)
Your mother?

FIGARO
And that is my father,
he'll say so himself.

SUSANNA (to Bartolo)
His father?

BARTOLO
His father.

SUSANNA (to the Count)
His father?

COUNT
His father.

SUSANNA (to Curzio)
His father?

CURZIO
His father.

SUSANNA (to Marcellina)
His father?

MARCELLINA
His father.

MARCELLINA, CURZIO, COUNT, BARTOLO
His father!

SUSANNA (to Figaro)
Your father?

FIGARO
And that is my mother,
who'll say so herself, etc.

CURZIO, COUNT
My/his soul can barely
resist any longer
the fierce torture
of this moment.

SUSANNA, MARCELLINA, BARTOLO, FIGARO
My soul can barely
resist any longer
the sweet delight
of this moment.
(The Count and Don Curzio depart.)

MARCELLINA (to Bartolo)
Here he is, my friend, the offspring
of our old romance.

BARTOLO
Let's not rake up
the far distant past; he is my son,
you are my spouse,
and we'll get married as soon as you like.

MARCELLINA
Today; it'll be a double wedding.
(to Figaro, handing him a piece of paper)
Take back this promissory note
for the money I lent you, it's your dowry.

SUSANNA
(throwing down the purse)
Take this purse too.

BARTOLO (doing the same)
And this as well.

FIGARO
Splendid! Go on throwing, and I'll go on collecting!

SUSANNA
We must go and tell what's happened
to my lady and our uncle.
Who is as happy as I am?

FIGARO
Me!

BARTOLO
Me!

MARCELLINA
Me!

ALL
And the count can rage until he bursts,
as far as I'm concerned!
(With their arms round each other they all leave
together. Enter Barbarina and Cherubino.)

BARBARINA
Come, let's go, handsome page,
and you will find that all the pretty girls
in the castle are at my house,

and you will be the prettiest of all.

CHERUBINO
But if the Count should find me!
I'd be for it! You know
he believes I've already left for Seville.

BARBARINA
Oh, how wonderful! If he finds you,
it won't be the first time.
Listen, we're going to dress you like us,
then we're all going together
to present some flowers to the Countess.
Cherubino, trust Barbarina.
(They leave. Enter the Countess, alone.)

No. 19: Recitative and Aria

COUNTESS
Still Susanna does not come! I am anxious to
know how the Count received the proposal. The
scheme appears rather daring, with a husband so
forceful and jealous! But what's the harm in it?
Changing my clothes for those of Susanna, and
she for mine, under cover of night. Heavens! To
what humble and dangerous state I am reduced by
a cruel husband, who, after having with an
unheard-of combination of infidelity, jealousy and
disdain - first loved me, then abused and finally
betrayed me - now forces me to seek the help of a
servant!
Where are the golden moments
of tranquillity and pleasure;
what became of the oaths

of that deceitful tongue?
Why did not, when my life
changed into tears and pain,
the memory of that joy
disappear from my breast?
Where are the golden moments, etc.
Ah! If then my constancy
still loves through its sorrow,
the hope yet remains
of changing that ungrateful heart.
Ah! If then my constancy, etc.
(She leaves. The Count enters with Antonio.)

ANTONIO
(holding a hat in his hands)
I am telling you, my lord, that Cherubino
is still in the castle,
and that his hat proves it.

COUNT
How can he be, when by this time
he should have arrived in Seville?

ANTONIO
Forgive me; today Seville is in my house.
There he dressed up as a woman
and left his clothes.

COUNT
Rogues!

ANTONIO
Let's go, and you can see for yourself.
(They leave. Enter the Countess and Susanna.)

COUNTESS
What are you saying?
And what did the Count say?

SUSANNA
One could see that he was
disgusted and enraged.

COUNTESS
Gently, and it will be easier to ensnare him!
Where did you arrange
to meet him?

SUSANNA
In the garden.

COUNTESS
We must make it more precise. Write.

SUSANNA
I, write to him? But my lady -

COUNTESS
Write, I tell you,
the responsibility will be mine.
(Susanna sits down and begins to write.)

No. 20: Duettino

SUSANNA (writing)
On the breeze.

COUNTESS
What a gentle zephyr -

SUSANNA
zephyr -

COUNTESS
will sigh this evening -

SUSANNA
this evening -

COUNTESS
beneath the pines in the thicket...

SUSANNA
beneath the pines?

COUNTESS
Beneath the pines in the thicket.

SUSANNA
Beneath the pines in the thicket.

COUNTESS
He will understand the rest.

SUSANNA
Certainly, he'll understand.

COUNTESS
He will understand the rest.

COUNTESS
Little tune on the breeze, etc.

SUSANNA
What a gentle zephyr, etc.

(Together, they reread the letter, then Susanna folds
it.)

SUSANNA
I've folded the letter, but how shall I seal it?

COUNTESS
(removing a pin and handing it to Susanna)
Here, take this pin,
it will serve for a seal. Wait, write
on the back of the letter,
"Return the pin.''

SUSANNA
It's stranger
than the seal on the commission.

COUNTESS
Hide it quickly; I hear someone coming.
(Susanna tucks the letter into her bodice. Barbarina
and a group of peasant girls enter, all dressed alike
and carrying posies of flowers. With them is
Cherubino, dressed like the girls.)

No. 21: Chorus

CHORUS
Receive, beloved protectress,
these roses and violets
we gathered this morning
to prove our love for you.
We are only peasant girls
and we are all poor,

but what little we possess
we give you with a good heart.

BARBARINA
These girls, my lady,
come from the village;
the little that they have they offer you
and ask you to forgive their boldness.

COUNTESS
How kind of you! I thank you.

SUSANNA
How pretty they are!

COUNTESS (indicating Cherubino)
Tell me, who is
that charming girl
with the modest air?

BARBARINA
She's a cousin of mine,
who arrived this evening for the wedding.

COUNTESS
Let us honour the pretty stranger.
(to Cherubino)
Come here, give me your flowers.
(She takes the flowers from Cherubino and kisses
his forehead.)
You're blushing!
(to Susanna)
Susanna, does she not bear
a resemblance to someone else?

SUSANNA
The living image!
(Antonio and the Count enter furtively; Antonio has
Cherubino's hat with him. Creeping up behind
Cherubino, he snatches the bonnet from his head
and claps on the hat.)

ANTONIO
The great rogue! Here's your officer!

COUNTESS (aside)
O heavens!

SUSANNA (aside)
The little rascal!

COUNT (to the Countess)
Well, my lady-?

COUNTESS
I, my lord, am as annoyed
and as surprised as yourself.

COUNT
And this morning?

COUNTESS
This morning
we were going to dress him up as a girl
for today's festivities,
just as they have done now.

COUNT (to Cherubino)
But why did you not leave?

CHERUBINO
(quickly taking off his hat)
My lord -

COUNT
I shall punish you
for your disobedience.

BARBARINA
Your Excellency!
You say to me so often
when you hug me and kiss me:
"Barbarina, if you love me
you can have anything you like.''

COUNT
I said that?

BARBARINA
Yes, you.
Now give me, my lord,
Cherubino in marriage,
and I'll love you like I love my kitten.

COUNTESS (to the Count)
Well, it's your turn now.

ANTONIO (to Barbarina)
Well said, girl!
You've learnt from a good master.

COUNT (aside)
I don't know what man, devil or god
is turning everything against me.

(Enter Figaro.)

FIGARO
My lord, if you keep
all the girls here,
there'll be no party and no dancing.

COUNT
Indeed? You want to dance
with a twisted ankle?

FIGARO
(moves his foot a few times and then begins to
dance)
It's not hurting so much now.
(He calls the young girls and starts to leave but the
Count calls him back.)
Come, my pretty ones.

COUNTESS (to Susanna)
How will he get out of this mess?

SUSANNA (to the Countess)
Let's leave him to it.

COUNT
Lucky the flowerpots
were made of clay!

FIGARO
It certainly was.
Come, then, let's be off.
(He tries to leave but Antonio calls him back.)

ANTONIO
Meanwhile the page
was galloping to Seville.

FIGARO
Galloping or walking, good luck to him!
Come on, pretty lasses.
(He tries to leave.)

COUNT
(blocking his way)
And he left his commission behind
in your pocket.

FIGARO
But of course!
What a question!

ANTONIO
(to Susanna, who is making signs to Figaro)
Useless to make signs to him; he doesn't understand,
(taking Cherubino by the hand and presenting him
to Figaro)
and here is someone who's making
my future nephew out to be a liar.

FIGARO
Cherubino!

ANTONIO
Now the penny's dropped.

FIGARO (to the Count)
What the devil's his story?

COUNT
No story, but he does say that he jumped
into the carnations this morning.

FIGARO
He says that? Could be ... if I jumped,
it might well be
that he did so too.

COUNT
He too?

FIGARO
Why not?
I don't accuse anyone of lying unless I'm sure.

No. 22: Finale
(The wedding march is heard in the distance.)

FIGARO
There's the march, let's go! To your posts, my
beauties, to your posts. Susanna, give me your arm.

SUSANNA (giving her arm)
Here it is.
(They leave, except the Count and the Countess.)

COUNT
Shameless!

COUNTESS
I feel cold as ice!

COUNT
Countess!

COUNTESS
Don't speak now. Here are the two couples; we
must receive them. In the end the question
involves your protégée. Let us be seated.

COUNT
Let us be seated
(aside)
and meditate on revenge.
(They sit. Enter hunters with guns slung over their
shoulders. Village folk, peasant boys and girls. Two
young girls carry in the hat of white feathers; two
more a white veil, two others gloves and a posy of
flowers. Then come Figaro with Marcellina and
Bartolo with Susanna. Bartolo leads Susanna to the
Count; she kneels and receives the hat, etc. from
him. Figaro likewise take Marcellina to the
Countess.)
TWO GIRLS
Faithful lovers,
zealous in honour,
sing the praises
of such a wise master.
Renouncing a right
that insults and offends,
he renders you spotless
to yourlovers.

CHORUS
Sing the praises of such a wise master!
(While kneeling before the Count Susanna tugs at
his robe and shows him a note; she raises her hand
to her head and the Count under the pretence of
adjusting her hat takes the note and hides it.
Susanna pays her respects and rises. Figaro goes to
receive her. They dance the fandango. Marcellina
rises presently and Bartolo steps up to receive her
from the Countess.)

COUNT
(takes out the note and reacts as if he has pricked
his finger; shakes it, presses it, sucks it, and seeing
that the note was sealed with a pin, throws the pin
on the floor, saying:)
Hmmm, as usual...women have pins sticking out
everywhere. Ah! Ah! I get the idea!

FIGARO (to Susanna)
That was a love-letter that someone gave him in
passing, and it was sealed with a pin, on which he
hurt his finger. The Narcissus is looking for it. Oh,
what foolishness!

COUNT
Come, my friends, and for this evening let all the
trappings of a wedding be made ready with richest
magnificence. I want the feast to be a grand one;
songs, torches, a grand feast and a ball. And all
shall see how I treat those who are dear to me.

CHORUS
Faithful lovers, etc.

Contents: Cast; Act One; Act Two; Act Three; Act Four