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[[File:The Nozze di Figaro Anonymous watercolour.jpg|thumb|Le nozze di Figaro, Anonymous watercolour.]]

[[File:The Nozze di Figaro Anonymous watercolour.jpg|thumb|Le nozze di Figaro, Anonymous watercolour.]]

'''''The Marriage of Figaro, or the Day of Madness''''' (It. '''''Le nozze di Figaro, ossia la folle giornata''''', K. 492) is an [[opera]] in four acts composed by [[Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart]] in 1785-1786 to an Italian [[libretto]] by Lorenzo da Ponte. First perfomed in [[Vienna]]'s Burgtheater on May 1, 1786, it ranks as one of Mozart's crowning operatic achievements. Figaro (a beloved operatic character who appears also in [[Rossini]]'s ''Barber of Seville'') is attempting to cleverly thwart the machinations of Count Almaviva, who wishes to seduce Figaro's fiancée Susanna before their wedding night.

'''''The Marriage of Figaro, or the Day of Madness''''' (It. '''''Le nozze di Figaro, ossia la folle giornata''''', K. 492) is an [[opera]] in four acts composed by [[Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart]] in 1785-1786 to an Italian [[libretto]] by Lorenzo da Ponte. First performed in [[Vienna]]'s Burgtheater on May 1, 1786, it ranks as one of Mozart's crowning operatic achievements. Figaro (a beloved operatic character who appears also in [[Rossini]]'s ''Barber of Seville'') is attempting to cleverly thwart the machinations of Count Almaviva, who wishes to seduce Figaro's fiancée Susanna before their wedding night.

The original story for Mozart's opera came from a 1784 [[French language|French]] play by Pierre Beaumarchais. Due to its mockery of the aristocracy, the play's performance was forbidden in Vienna, but according to biographers Mozart and da Ponte snatched up a printed copy before they were banned as well. When the opera version had been commissioned, Emperor Joseph II approved the libretto, and ''Figaro'' enjoyed a modest success in its first performances. However, during the period of [[Metternich]]'s reforms in the early 19th century, the opera's performance was banned as well.

The original story for Mozart's opera came from a 1784 [[French language|French]] play by Pierre Beaumarchais. Due to its mockery of the aristocracy, the play's performance was forbidden in Vienna, but according to biographers Mozart and da Ponte snatched up a printed copy before they were banned as well. When the opera version had been commissioned, Emperor Joseph II approved the libretto, and ''Figaro'' enjoyed a modest success in its first performances. However, during the period of [[Metternich]]'s reforms in the early 19th century, the opera's performance was banned as well.

The trial is held and the stuttering Don Curzio lays down the law: Figaro must marry Marcellina. Figaro counters that he would need his parents' permission, and since he hasn't known them since being stolen as a baby, he doesn't have to marry anybody. After probing for details, Marcellina realizes that Figaro is her son by Bartolo. Susanna enters at this point to see Figaro reconciling with them, and believes them to be preparing for marriage. She slaps Figaro, but is then filled in on the news. Bewildered, the Count must concede his case. Bartolo then joyfully announces his wish to marry Marcellina in a double wedding.

The trial is held and the stuttering Don Curzio lays down the law: Figaro must marry Marcellina. Figaro counters that he would need his parents' permission, and since he hasn't known them since being stolen as a baby, he doesn't have to marry anybody. After probing for details, Marcellina realizes that Figaro is her son by Bartolo. Susanna enters at this point to see Figaro reconciling with them, and believes them to be preparing for marriage. She slaps Figaro, but is then filled in on the news. Bewildered, the Count must concede his case. Bartolo then joyfully announces his wish to marry Marcellina in a double wedding.

In the next scene, the Countess again laments her unhappiness, and Susanna enters. With Rosina dictating, Susanna writes a letter to the count, sealing it with the Countess' pin, with an added postscript that the pin is to be returned. A group of peasant girls enters, among them Cherubino dressed as a country maiden. The Count enters with Antonio, quickly recognizing Cherubino, and is ready to punish him, but Barbarina reminds Almaviva that once when seducing her, he promised to give her anything she wanted. Her wish is to marry Cherubino; the Count is too embarassed to refuse. The act ends with the double wedding of Figaro, Susanna, Bartolo, and Marcellina, while the Count furtively reads Susanna's letter.

In the next scene, the Countess again laments her unhappiness, and Susanna enters. With Rosina dictating, Susanna writes a letter to the count, sealing it with the Countess' pin, with an added postscript that the pin is to be returned. A group of peasant girls enters, among them Cherubino dressed as a country maiden. The Count enters with Antonio, quickly recognizing Cherubino, and is ready to punish him, but Barbarina reminds Almaviva that once when seducing her, he promised to give her anything she wanted. Her wish is to marry Cherubino; the Count is too embarrassed to refuse. The act ends with the double wedding of Figaro, Susanna, Bartolo, and Marcellina, while the Count furtively reads Susanna's letter.

===Act IV===

===Act IV===