Classically Savvy

Act III – The Count’s chambers

Scene 1a

Recit: The Count paces, trying to make sense of everything: the anonymous letter, Susanna in the closet, his anxious wife, someone jumping from the balcony, someone else taking the blame. To set his mind at ease, he has sent Basilio to Seville to see if Cherubino has truly gone.

The Countess and Susanna appear just outside the room. The Countess suggests that she and Susanna trade places in the garden this evening, and leave Cherubino out of the plan entirely. Since Figaro would surely try to complicate matters, they decide not to tell him.

Susanna approaches the Count, asking for the flask of smelling salts for the Countess. The Count suggests that Susanna keep the flask, since she will need to use it herself when she loses Figaro to Marcellina. Susanna suggests that she could pay using the money the Count promised her, and that she is willing to do whatever he wants.

#16 Duet: Crudel, perche finora – The Count is wary of Susanna, but she says, “Women need some time before they say ‘yes.’” Susanna is a bit nervous, giving the wrong answers to some of the Count’s questions, but she covers her mistakes. In their asides, the Count celebrates his victory, while Susanna asks Figaro to forgive her.

Recit: Susanna explains that she was short with the Count this morning because Cherubino was in the room. The Count is ready to have his way with Susanna right there, but she escapes. Figaro steps into the room, looking for Susanna, and as they exit, the Count overhears Susanna say “You’ve already won your case.”

Scene 1b

#17 Aria: Hai già vinta la causa? - The Count realizes he has been tricked. He ponders how Figaro could possibly win the case, but convinces himself that there is no way — Figaro doesn’t have the money to pay Marcellina, and even if he did, Antonio would never give permission for Figaro to marry his niece, Susanna. He fumes: “Should I see my vile servant possess something I desire? No! I will be vindicated!”

Scene 2

Recit: Barbarina is excited to dress up Cherubino as a girl, despite his protestations. (Note: Again, the concept of a woman playing a teenaged boy dressed up as a woman is comical in and of itself. Does that make him/her a trans-transvestite?)

Scene 3

#19 Aria: Dove sono – The Countess is nervous about the risky plan, and mourns the degradation caused by her husband. She asks: “Where have the happy days gone? Why do I even remember them, despite suffering? If only my faithfulness could change him.”

Scene 4

Note: This scene usually comes before Scene 2, but makes sense here, as well)

Recit: Figaro protests the decision that he is either to repay Marcellina or marry her. He says he cannot marry her without the permission of his parents, and since he was a foundling, he has to find them first. However, something he says strikes Marcellina, and she realizes that he is her and Bartolo’s love-child.

#18 Sextet: Riconosci in questo amplesso - Marcellina, Bartolo, and Figaro all embrace while the Count fumes that he has, once again, lost the upper hand. As he is about to leave, Susanna comes in with the money to pay Figaro’s debt. Rather than accept, the Count points to Figaro and Marcellina in each other’s arms. Susanna slaps him for his unfaithfulness, but Figaro explains that Marcellina and Bartolo are his parents, which everyone confirms. Foiled again, the Count fumes and exits.

Recit: Having found their long-lost son, Don Bartolo and Marcellina agree to get married alongside Figaro and Susanna. Marcellina forgives Figaro’s debt as his dowry. Everyone is happy, and have a laugh at the Count’s expense.

Scene 5

Recit: Antonio offers Cherubino’s military hat as proof to the Count that Cherubino is still in the castle.

Scene 6a

Recit: Susanna conveys the Count’s reaction to the Countess.

#20 Duet: Sull’aria…Che soave zeffiretto – The Countess dictates the letter that Susanna is to give to the Count: “This evening, a gentle breeze will waft beneath the pines in the grove.”

Recit: Susanna pins the note closed, and writes “return the pin” on the back of it.

Scene 6b

#21 Chorus: Ricevete, o padroncina! - Peasant girls enter the room, led by Barbarina, and offer flowers to the Countess as a gesture of their love for her. Cherubino is hidden in their midst.

Recit: Barbarina explains that the pretty new girl is her cousin, who has come for the wedding. The Countess calls Cherubino to her for a good look, and asks Susanna, “Doesn’t she remind you of someone?”

Scene 6c
At that moment, Antonio and the Count enter, exposing Cherubino. The Count asks the Countess to explain, and she replies that they were dressing him up just as his appears now. The Count begins to turn his wrath on Cherubino, but is intercepted by Barbarina. In front of everyone she says, “Remember all those times you were hugging and kissing me, and told me I could have anything I wanted if I just loved you? Well, if you let me marry Cherubino, I’ll love you as much as a kitten.” Embarrassed and defeated yet again, the Count begins to leave.

Scene 6d
But Figaro bursts in — with all the girls inside, how can there be a dance? The Count asks how Figaro plans to dance with a sprained ankle, but Figaro says it is better. Antonio tricks Figaro, asking him to confirm that Cherubino left for Seville, which he does. Antonio calls Figaro a liar, showing him Cherubino, but Figaro simply says, “If I jumped out of the window, I suppose Cherubino could have as well, but I can’t dispute what I don’t know.”

Scene 6e – Finale
A march is heard in the distance, which signals the beginning of the wedding ceremony. The Countess tells the Count, “We must receive them, after all, it is one of your protégées.”

Scene 6f
Chorus & Dance: Amanti costanti – The peasants sing another song of praise that the Count has preserved Susanna’s virtue by revoking the droit de Seigneur. While they sing, the Count and Countess place veils on Susanna and Marcellina’s heads. Susanna slips the Count the note.

While the couples and peasants dance, the Count sneaks away to read the note, pricking his finger on the pin, which Figaro notices. The Count sends everyone away to prepare for the evening’s festivities. All sing the Count’s praises.

As everyone exits, the Count gives Barbarina the pin to return to Susanna.

Copyright Paul Hindemith, 2006.  This material may not be reproduced for profit in any way without the express permission of the author.