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

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

ACT FOUR

The castle garden
(There is an arbour to the right and one to the left.
Night. Barbarina enters, searching for something on
the ground.)

No. 23: Cavatina

BARBARINA
I have lost it, unhappy me!
Ah, who knows where it is?
I cannot find it, I have lost it,
unhappy me, etc.
And my cousin, and my lord -
what will he say?
(She leaves.)

FIGARO (enters with Marcellina)
Barbarina, what's the matter?

BARBARINA
I've lost it, cousin.

FIGARO
What?

MARCELLINA
What?

BARBARINA
The pin
the master gave me
to return to Susanna.

FIGARO
To Susanna, the pin?
So young,
yet you already do
everything so well?

BARBARINA
What's the matter? Are you angry with me?

FIGARO
Can't you see I'm only joking? Look.
(He searches on the ground for a moment, after
having dexterously taken out a pin from Marcellina's
dress and gives it to Barbarina.)
This is the pin the Count gave you
to return to Susanna;
it was sealing a letter.
See how I know it all?

BARBARINA
Then why ask me if you know it all already?

FIGARO
I'm curious to know how his lordship
came to give you such an errand.

BARBARINA
Is that all!
''Here, my girl, take this pin

to the lovely Susanna, and say to her:
"This is the seal of the pine-trees!''

FIGARO
Aha! "Of the pine-trees."

BARBARINA
Truth to tell, he added:
"Take care no one sees you."
But you won't say anything.

FIGARO
Of course not.

BARBARINA
Nothing's worrying you, is it?

FIGARO
No, nothing at all.

BARBARINA
Goodbye, handsome cousin.
I'm going first to Susanna and then to Cherubino.
(She leaves.)

FIGARO
Mother!

MARCELLINA
My son!

FIGARO
This is the end.

MARCELLINA
Keep calm, my son!

FIGARO
This is the end, I tell you.

MARCELLINA
Calm, calm and more calm. This is a serious
matter, and must be seriously considered. But if
you think about it, we still don't know who's
tricking who.

FIGARO
Ah, that pin, mother, was the same one
I saw him pick up a little while ago.

MARCELLINA
True, but at most
this gives you the right
to be on your guard and suspicious.
You don't really know -

FIGARO
I must be crafty, then! I know
where the assignation is to take place.

MARCELLINA
Where are you going, my son?

FIGARO
To avenge all husbands! Goodbye!
(He storms out in a rage.)

MARCELLINA
I must warn Susanna quickly ...
I believe her to be innocent - that face,
that modest air! - And supposing she were not? ...
ah, when we are not obsessed with self-interest
every woman will march to the defence
of her own poor sex
against ungrateful men
who only seek wrongly to oppress it.
The he-goat and the she-goat
live in friendship,
the he-lamb and the she-lamb
fight no wars.
The wildest of the beasts
in the forest or the plain,
his mate does not constrain
or use with force.
Only we poor women,
who love our men-folk so,
are treated by these beaux
so cruelly without cause.
(She goes out.)
(Enter Barbarina, alone, carrying some fruits and
sweetmeats.)

BARBARINA
'In the arbour on the left', he said.
This is it! And if he doesn't come?
My word, What generosity!
Begrudging me an orange, a pear, a cake!
'Who is it for, miss?' - 'Oh, for a gentleman.'
'We know that!' Well! My lord hates him and I love
him. But it cost me a kiss - no matter. Perhaps

someone will give it back to me.
(She hears someone coming.)
I'm lost!
(Frightened, she runs into the arbour on the left.)
(Figaro enters wearing a cloak and carrying a small
lantern)

FIGARO (to himself)
'Tis Barbarina!
(aloud)
Who goes there?

BASILIO
(enters with Bartolo and a group of workers)
Those
who you invited.

BARTOLO
What a grim face!
You look like a conspirator! What the devil
are all these sinister preparations for?

FIGARO
You'll see in a little while.
This is where we shall
celebrate the rite
between my virtuous bride
and the feudal lord.

BASILIO
Ah, good, good,
I understand now:

(aside)
They've come to an agreement without my help.

FIGARO
Don't you move from here.
Meanwhile
I'm going to issue some instructions
and I'll be back in a minute.
When I whistle, come quickly.
(All go off, except Bartolo and Basilio.)

BASILIO
He's in a fine old state!

BARTOLO
What's happened?

BASILIO
Nothing.
The Count fancies Susanna,
she agreed to an assignation
and Figaro is put out.

BARTOLO
Well? He should just put up with it.

BASILIO
Many have had to, so why shouldn't he?
And anyway, what good can it do?
In this world, my friend,
it's always dangerous to mix with the mighty.
The odds are inevitably in their favour.

In those years, when inexperience
made my judgement worthless,
I, too, was foolishly impulsive,
played the fool I now abjure.
But with time and dangers met,
Dame Common Sense appeared
chased the whims and stubbornness
from my silly head.
To a little cabin
she led me one fine day,
and from the wall
of that quiet hut
an ass's skin she took.
'Take this, my son,' she said,
Then she went and left me.
While I looked at the gift
in silent wonder,
the sky grew dark,
the thunder rolled,
mixed with hail,
the rain beat down.
I might as well
protect my limbs
with the ass's coat,
I thought.
The storm passed;
scarce two steps I take
when a dreadful wild beast
confronts me,
I can feel already
the greedy teeth
upon me,
and hope is dead.
But the foetid smell

of my covering
destroyed
the beast's appetite,
and in disgust it turned and slunk
back to its forest lair.
Thus fate
taught me a lesson,
that shame, danger,
disgrace and death
may be warded off
by the skin of an ass.
(They leave.)

No. 26: Recitative and Aria

FIGARO (enters alone, with the cloak)
Everything is ready: the hour must be near. I hear
them coming; it's she; no, it's no one. The night is
dark, and I'm already beginning to ply the foolish
trade of cuckolded husband. Traitress! At the
moment of my wedding ceremony he enjoyed
reading her letter, and seeing him I laughed at
myself without knowing it. Oh, Susanna, Susanna,
how much pain have you cost me! With that
artless face, with those innocent eyes, who would
have believed it! Ah, it's always madness to trust a woman!
Open your eyes for a moment,
rash and foolish men,
look at these women,
look at what they are.
You call them goddesses,
with your befuddled senses,
and pay them tribute
with your weakened minds.

They are witches who work spells
to make you miserable,
sirens who sing
to make you drown,
screech-owls that lure you
to pluck out your feathers,
comets that flash
to take away your light.
They are thorny roses,
cunning vixens,
hugging bears,
spiteful doves,
masters of deceit,
friends of trouble,
who pretend, lie,
feel no love,
feel no pity,
no, no, no, no, no!
The rest I won't say,
because everyone knows it already.
Open your eyes for a moment, etc.
(He hides among the trees.)
(Susanna and the Countess enter, disguised in each
other's clothes, followed by Marcellina.)

SUSANNA
My lady, Marcellina told me
Figaro would be coming here.

MARCELLINA
He's here already;
lower your voice.

SUSANNA
So one of them is eavesdropping and the other
is about to come to look for me.
Let's begin!

MARCELLINA
I shall hide in here.
(enters the arbour into which Barbarina went)

SUSANNA
My lady, you're shivering; are you chilly?

COUNTESS
The air is damp; I'll go in now.

FIGARO (aside)
This is the moment of crisis.

SUSANNA
Under these trees, if my lady will allow me,
I shall stay to enjoy
the coolness for half an hour.

FIGARO (aside)
Coolness! Coolness!

COUNTESS
Stay for an hour or more.
(She hides.)

SUSANNA (under her breath)
The rascal's eavesdropping.
We'll have some fun, too,
and pay him out for his suspicions.

No. 27: Recitative and Aria

SUSANNA
At last the moment is near when carefree I shall
exult in the embrace of him I worship. Timid care,
be banished from my heart, and come not to
disturb my joy. Oh, how the beauties of this place,
of heaven and earth, respond to the fire of my
love. How night furthers my designs!
Come now, delay not, lovely joy,
come where love calls you to pleasure.
The nocturnal torch shines not yet in heaven;
the air is still murky, and the earth silent.
Here the brook murmurs, the breezes play
and with gentle sighing refresh the heart.
Here flowers are laughing, and the grass is cool;
all things beckon to love's delights.
Come, my soul, within this hidden grove.
Come! I would crown your brow with roses!
(She disappears among the trees on the opposite
side to Figaro.)

FIGARO (aside)
Shameless woman! To have lied to me like that!
I don't know if I'm awake or dreaming!

CHERUBINO (enters singing)
La la la...

COUNTESS (aside)
The little page!

CHERUBINO
I can hear someone; I'll go in here,
where Barbarina went.
(seeing the Countess)
Oh! I can see a woman!

COUNTESS
Now I'm in trouble!

CHERUBINO
Surely not! from that hat
I can just see in the dark, that must be Susanna.

COUNTESS
If the Count should come now, O cruel fate!

No. 28: Finale

CHERUBINO
Softly now I'll come closer to you,
we shall not waste any time.

COUNTESS
Ah, if the Count comes along
what a fight there will be!

CHERUBINO
Dearest Susanna! She doesn't answer,
but hides her face with her hand;
now I shall really tease her.

COUNTESS (trying to get away)
Presumptuous, impudent boy,
go away from here immediately, etc.

CHERUBINO
Skittish, cunning girls,
I already know why you're here, etc.

COUNT (from a distance)
That must be my Susanna!

SUSANNA, FIGARO
Here comes the fowler!

CHERUBINO
Don't try to play the tyrant with me!

SUSANNA, COUNT, FIGARO
Ah, my heart is pounding in my breast!

COUNTESS
Quickly, go, or I'll call for help!

SUSANNA, COUNT, FIGARO
There is another man with her.

CHERUBINO
Give me a kiss, or you'll do nothing.

SUSANNA, COUNT, FIGARO
By his voice, that must be the page.

COUNTESS
A kiss, you say! What temerity!

CHERUBINO
And why can't I do
what the Count is going to do?

SUSANNA, COUNTESS, COUNT, FIGARO
Rash boy!

CHERUBINO
Why make a face?
You know that I was behind the chair!

SUSANNA, COUNTESS, COUNT, FIGARO
If the rake stays much longer
he'll ruin everything.

CHERUBINO (trying to kiss the Countess)
I'll take it anyway!
(The Count steps between them and receives the
kiss himself.)

COUNTESS, then CHERUBINO
Heavens! The Count!
(Cherubino runs to hide in the left-hand arbour.)

FIGARO
I want to see what they're doing.
(The Count makes a swipe at Cherubino but strikes
Figaro instead.)

COUNT
So that you won't repeat
the offence, take that!

FIGARO, COUNTESS, COUNT, SUSANNA
Ah! I have/he has made quite a gain
through my curiosity/his temerity, etc.
(Figaro and Susanna go off in opposite directions.)

COUNT
At last the rogue has gone,
come nearer, my dearest.

COUNTESS
If it please you thus,
here I am, sir.

FIGARO
What a complaisant woman!
What a good-hearted wife!

COUNT
Give me your hand.

COUNTESS
I give it to you.

COUNT
Dearest!

FIGARO
Dearest?

COUNT
What dainty fingers!
What delicate skin!
I'm tingling, I'm feverish,
I'm filled with new ardour, etc.

SUSANNA, COUNTESS, FIGARO
Blind precipitousness
deludes reason
and always tricks the senses, etc.

COUNT
Besides your dowry, beloved,
receive this jewel,
offered by a lover
in pledge of his love.
(He gives her a ring.)

COUNTESS
Susanna owes eveything
to her benefactor.

SUSANNA, COUNT, FIGARO
Everything is going perfectly!
But the best is coming yet.

COUNTESS
Sir, I can see the light
from bright torches.

COUNT
Let us enter, my fair Venus.
Let us go in and hide, etc.

SUSANNA, FIGARO
All you deceived husbands,
come and learn your lessons.

COUNTESS
In the dark, my lord?

COUNT
It is my wish:
you know that I don't want
to go inside and read.

FIGARO
The traitress is following him;
doubts are foolish now.

SUSANNA, COUNTESS
The rogues are in the trap,
the affair is beginning well.

COUNT
Who goes there?

FIGARO
None of your business!

COUNTESS
It's Figaro! I'm going!

COUNT
Go on, I'll find you soon.
(The Count disappears in the bushes. The Countess
enters the right-hand arbour.)

FIGARO
All is peaceful and silent:
the beautiful Venus has gone
to the embrace of her fond Mars,
but a modern Vulcan will soon
have them in his net.

SUSANNA (in a feigned voice)
Hey, Figaro, keep your voice down!

FIGARO
Oh, there is the Countess.
You come at a perfect moment
to see for yourself
the Count with my wife.
You'll be able to touch them
with your very own hand.

SUSANNA (forgetting to alter her voice)
Speak a little lower;
from the spot I shall not move
until I am avenged.

FIGARO (aside)
Susanna!
(aloud)
Avenged?

SUSANNA
Yes.

FIGARO
How can that be done?
The vixen is trying to catch me,
and I'm going to help her, etc.

SUSANNA
I'm going to catch the villain,
and I know how to go about it, etc.

FIGARO (with comic affectation)
Ah, if it please Madame!

SUSANNA
Get up, not a word!

FIGARO
Ah, Madame!

SUSANNA
Get up, not a word!

FIGARO
Here I am at your feet,
with my heart full of fire.
Look around you,
and remember the betrayer!

SUSANNA
How my hand is itching!

FIGARO
I can hardly breathe!

SUSANNA
What madness! What fury! etc.

FIGARO
What madness! What fever! etc.

SUSANNA
But is there no affection between us?

FIGARO
Let respect be enough.
We must not let time pass in vain,
give me your hand a moment.

SUSANNA
(in her natural voice, boxing his ears)
Help yourself, sir.

FIGARO
You slapped me!

SUSANNA
Yes, I did!
Here's another, and another
and still another.

FIGARO
Don't beat me so furiously!

SUSANNA
And another, you sharper,
and then still one more!

FIGARO
Oh, most gracious blows!
Oh, perfect love! etc.

SUSANNA
I'll teach you, deceitful man,
to play the seducer, etc.

FIGARO
Peace, peace, my sweet treasure;
I recognised the voice which I adore
and carry engraved in my heart.

SUSANNA
My voice?

FIGARO
The voice I adore.

SUSANNA, FIGARO
Peace, peace, my sweet treasure,
peace, peace, my gentle beloved.
(The Count returns.)

COUNT
I cannot find her, and I've combed the forest.

SUSANNA, FIGARO
That's the Count.
I recognise his voice.

COUNT
Hey, Susanna, are you deaf or dumb?

SUSANNA
Wonderful! He didn't recognise her!

FIGARO
Whom?

SUSANNA
Madame.

FIGARO
Madame?

SUSANNA
Madame!

SUSANNA, FIGARO
Let's terminate this farce, my beloved,
and console this capricious lover, etc.
(Figaro throws himself at her feet.)

FIGARO
Yes, Madame, you are the light of my life.

COUNT
My wife?
Ah, I have no weapons!

FIGARO
Will you grant a cure for my heart?

SUSANNA
Here I am, I'll do as you wish.

COUNT
Ah, scandalous, scandalous!

SUSANNA, FIGARO
Ah, let us make haste, beloved,
and exchange pain for pleasure.
(They move towards the arbour on the left. The
Count grasps Figaro.)

COUNT
Help, help, weapons, weapons!

FIGARO (feigning great fright)
The master!

COUNT
My men, help, help!
(Enter Antonio, Basilio, Bartolo and Don Curzio.)

FIGARO
I'm lost!

BASILIO, CURZIO, ANTONIO, BARTOLO
What happened?

COUNT
The villain
has betrayed me, has defamed me,
and you shall see with whom.

BASILIO, CURZIO, ANTONIO, BARTOLO
I'm amazed, confounded,
I can't believe it's true.

FIGARO
They're amazed, confounded.
Oh, what a scene, what fun!
(Going to the arbour the Count hands out, in turn,
Cherubino, Barbarina, Marcellina and Susanna.)

COUNT
In vain you resist,
come out, Madame;
now you shall be rewarded
for your honesty.
...The page!

ANTONIO
My daughter!

FIGARO
My mother!

BASILIO, CURZIO, ANTONIO, BARTOLO
Madame!

COUNT
The plot is revealed,
and there is the deceiver.

SUSANNA (kneeling)
Pardon, pardon!

COUNT
No, no, do not expect it!

FIGARO (kneeling)
Pardon, pardon!

COUNT
No, no, I will not!

ALL EXCEPT THE COUNT
(kneeling)
Pardon! etc.

COUNT
No!
(The Countess emerges from the right-hand arbour.)

COUNTESS
At least I may obtain their pardon.

BASILIO, CURZIO, COUNT, ANTONIO, BARTOLO
Heaven! What do I see?
I'm raving! Going crazy!
I don't know what to believe.

COUNT (kneeling)
Countess, your pardon! Pardon!

COUNTESS
I am more clement,
and answer, yes.

ALL
Ah! All shall be
made happy thereby.
Only love can resolve
this day of torments,
caprice and folly,
into joy and happiness.
Spouses and sweethearts, to dancing and fun,
and let's have some fireworks!
And to the sound of a gay march
hurry off to celebrate, etc.

End of the Opera

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