Synopsis - Act I

Act one of The Marriage of Figaro opens with the title character, a valet for the Count Almaviva, on the morning of his wedding to Susanna, the maid to the Countess, measuring his new room and bed, a wedding gift given by his employer. As Susanna puts the finishing touches on her wedding ensemble, Figaro notes the convenient proximity of the room to his boss's quarters, to which Susanna point out how easily the Count can thereby pursue her, and claims he has promised a handsome dowry if she submits to his advances. Susanna retreats at a call from her mistress, and Figaro plots revenge on the Count.

	Figaro and Susanna prepare Cherubino for life in the Count's regiment. View the entire slide show

Elsewhere, the housekeeper Marcellina plots to disrupt Figaro's wedding day, with the aid of doctor Bartolo. It seems Figaro has made a pact to marry Marcellina if he fails to repay money he owes her, and Bartolo seeks to avenge his own thwarted wedding plans at the hand of Figaro (from the previous Beaumarchais play The Barber of Seville). Susanna and Marcellina meet, and after a venomous exchange, Marcellina exits and the page Cherubino enters.

Cherubino confides to Susanna of his love for all women, especially for the Countess. He has been caught in Barbarina's chambers by the Count however, and now fears that he'll be banished from the home. As the two hear the Count approaching, Cherubino dives behind a chair, in time to witness the Count's advances toward Susanna. The music teacher Basilio the approaches, forcing the Count to take up Cherubino's place behind the chair, and the (still unseen) Cherubino to hide under a drape cloth in the chair itself.

Basilio enters, and maliciously (but accurately) discusses Cherubino's indiscretions with the Countess, infuriating the Count, who comes out from hiding demanding that Cherubino be found. The page is then suddenly uncovered in the chair, and has heard the entire scenario, including the Count's overtures toward Susanna.

Figaro enters with staff and peasants, and in a sweeping chorus thank the Count for renouncing the terrible extramarital rite, but the Count refuses to be trapped into marrying Figaro and Susanna then and there (which would, after all, make for an awfully short opera.) Further, the Count agrees with the couple's request that Cherubino not be banished altogether, but does banish the page with an officer's commission in the far reaches of the regiment, effective immediately. Act one ends with a comic sendoff of Cherubino by Figaro and Susanna.

Introduction - Act I  -  Act II - Act III - Act IV