Synopsis - Act III

Act three opens in a state room, prepared for a wedding feast. The Countess and Susanna agree to proceed with the plot, and switch cloaks later that evening, trapping the Count in a "tryst" with his own wife. The Countess dictates a letter to Susanna to confirm the rendezvous with the Count, and seals the note with a pin.

	Susanna learns the truth; Marcellina is Figaro's mother, Bartolo is the father. View the entire slide show

The Count confronts Susanna, and insists that Figaro should marry Marcellina as repayment of his debt. Susanna counters that the debt will be paid off by the dowry promised by the Count, a promise the Count denies ever making. Susanna coyly agrees to meet the Count in the garden as he desires, claiming that her protests have been feigned. As she leaves she passes Figaro, and conspiratorially claims that a lawyer will no longer be necessary. Overhearing the remark, the Count is enraged, and laments that he must sigh in vain while a mere servant wins Susanna.

Since it seems inevitable that Cherubino will be dressed as a woman for one reason or another in this opera, Barbarina thus disguises him, to conceal the fact that he has not yet left, and to protect him from being sent away. The Countess waits for Susanna, and muses on happier days with the Count, wondering out loud if there is hope for her marriage.

Figaro, the Count, Marcellina, Bartolo, Basilio, and the magistrate Don Curzio assemble, and Don Curzio decrees that the original settlement must be fulfilled, and Figaro must marry Marcellina. Figaro protests that he cannot marry without the consent of his long-lost parents, from whom he was kidnapped by thieves as a small child. In a bizarre twist Marcellina and Bartolo recognize a distinguishing mark on Figaro's arm, and realize that he is in fact their son.

As Figaro and Marcellina embrace Susanna enters, and, flying into a jealous rage, slaps Figaro. All is explained, Marcellina drops the debt owed by Figaro, Bartolo gives the couple a dowry, and Marcellina and Bartolo decide to make the reunion official by getting married as well, in a double ceremony as announced by Figaro.

The Countess is presented with a group of peasant girls bearing flowers, led by Barbarina, and joined by Cherubino (in drag.) Antonio arrives to reveal the page's true identity, and just before the Count to release his wrath Barbarina intercedes reminding him that he once promised her anything, in exchange for her affections. She begs to marry Cherubino, and the Count (not wanting to create a scene in front of the Countess) agrees to the request. The couples all gather for the wedding, and as the ceremonial fandango commences, Susanna slips the letter into the Count's hand.

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