The Marriage of Figaro (play)

• Clavigo ( archivist of the King)
• Count Almaviva
• Countess Almaviva ( Rosine, his wife )
• Figaro ( Almaviva's servant)
• Susanne ( Rosines maid )
• Marceline ( housekeeper )
• Doctor Bartholo
• Cherubin (one page)
• Don Gusman Brid'Oison
• Double -Main
• A bailiff
• Antonio ( Castle gardener )
• Fanchette ( Antonio's daughter)
• Bazile (harpsichord teacher to the Countess )
• Gripe Soleil
• A young shepherdess
• Petrille
• Other servants of the Count

The great Day or The Marriage of Figaro (sometimes, rarely also listed as the great Day or The Marriage of Figaro, in the original French La folle journée ou le Mariage de Figaro ) from the year 1778 is a play in five acts by Pierre Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais that "The Marriage of Figaro " by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was the inspiration for the opera. It was premiered after years of censorship on 27 April 1784 the Théâtre National de l' Odéon. Previously, it was only seen in private events.

Beaumarchais used in this piece the main characters from The Barber of Seville, as a continuation, it is also true. The play portrays the day of marriage between Figaro, the servants of the Count Almaviva, and Susan, the maid of the Countess.

Historical Context

The play takes place in the period before the French Revolution, during the entire society of the " Ancien Régime " is facing fundamental changes. It reflects the confrontation between representatives of the then three estates, the nobility, the clergy and the bourgeoisie.

Action

Summary

The piece starts in the morning of the wedding day of Figaro, the valet of Count Almaviva, who wants to marry the maid Susanne. It ends in the evening of the same day. Figaro has no idea that the Count the beautiful Susanne sought after and he would like this to make to will to the right of the first night, which has long been abolished his wife. From now on, all kinds of love turmoil determine the piece. The Count does everything Susanne to conquer. His intrigues are the goals of two other actors, the physician Dr. Bartolo and his housekeeper Marceline, contrary, however, pursue their own intentions: the elderly Marceline urges Figaro, opposite her redeem a not yet stale marriage vows, Dr. Bartolo wants to be Figaro for his role in the abduction of the current countess, his former ward " raisin " revenge, (see the Barber of Seville ). The somewhat naive Page Cherubino finally, another main character, flirting with all the females around him, even with the Countess, his godmother. Numerous intrigues Figaro and wise lists the part of women eventually lead to many complications to the destination. In the end, the Count of disgraced and asks his wife for forgiveness.

Extended plot description

To make the furniture, Figaro measures in the castle of the room, he wants to live after the wedding with his bride Susanne. He considers it an advantage that the room is next to the Count's chambers. Susan tells him about the fact that Count Almaviva could pursue her against his own plans and has the bride and groom just rely therefore this space. Figaro wants to thwart the intentions of the aristocratic seducer - Dr. Bartolo occurs. ; he was engaged by the housekeeper Marceline to advance lawsuit against Figaro, who had previously promised to marry her, to replace a fault -. Cherubino asks Susanne to intercede with the count because he does not want to leave the castle. When the Count and Basilio ( the music teacher of the Countess ) appear, Cherubino hides and Susanne deceives a swoon before; in the confusion, the page is hidden under a dress. The previously rejected by Susanne Graf discovered him, and he will be spared only by the presence of compatriots of a punishment by the jealous lord of the castle. The Count is forcing Cherubino, to make their way to the army, and Figaro, who is also jealous of him, gives him " good advice " on the way.

Susanne infected Cherubino in women's clothes and combed his hair so that he can so wait for the wedding. Cherubino flees the count in the next room, in which the Count also into wants, after he has heard someone in it. The Countess says it is only Susanne, and the count includes all doors off to go with the Countess on a different way to the next room. Susanne frees Cherubino, who jumps out the window, and she enters the room from which he has fled. The Count thinks Cherubino had concealed himself, but finds to his astonishment only Susanne. In the meantime, Figaro, who fears the importunities of the Earl tried to stop him through an anonymous letter from appearing at his wedding, but questioned by the Countess, he confesses that he is the author. As the gardener Antonio brings another document, of which he says that it had been dropped by a fleeing man who claims Figaro that he had been with Susanne. However, the document turns out to be Cherubino's appointment as an officer, and Figaro passes from the terminal, by presenting it to the Count who can install his or missing seals. Marceline submits its action on Figaro. The wedding is shifted so that the photographer can investigate the allegation.

The Count is confused due to the previous events, and at the request of the Countess Susanne agrees to meet him in the garden; However, before she exchanges with the Countess clothing. Susanne whispers to Figaro that his dispute is won. The Count is angry. It turns out that Figaro is the illegitimate son of Marceline and Bartolo, so that he can not marry the housekeeper. The Countess is left alone when the maid arrives and reports that everything goes well. The Countess dictates a love letter to send to Susanne. The Count to return the pin that holds the letter to confirm receipt. The Count discovers his previous pages, flares up, but is reassured by Susan's letter.

Following the directions in the letter, the Count has sent Barbarina with the needle, but she has lost. Figaro learns the meaning of the letter of Barbarina. Out of jealousy, he brings Bartolo and Marceline to come into the garden, to be present at the interview between the Count and Susanne. Marceline Susanne informed about this plan. The Countess appears in Susan's dress; Cherubino the supposed Susanne tries to kiss her, but is held back by the Count, who aims with his hand after the bell boys, but somehow meets the ever-present Figaro. The Count pursues the supposed Susanne, who sent goes out of his way, as the correct Susanne occurs in dressed as the Countess. Figaro her about the intentions of the Count and recognize the supposed Countess his Susanne. He plays the comedy by proving her honor as the Countess, and again one gets to the ears. The two make peace and he continues to play his role. When the Count appears, he declares his love for her. The Count calls for his people and weapons. A general recognition replaces the confusion of the Count, who make an apology and thus can countess of atonement.

Characters

The ambivalent drawing of Count Almaviva as quite unsouveräner, with Figaro, Susanne and his countess to his ( house ) power fighting and already somewhat elderly bon vivant, is obvious. The central motif that gives the history of the impetus for the " jus prima noctis " is to exercise (the right to the first night ), which held the Count as a ruler it to any future wife in his domain. Almaviva had abolished years ago, after marrying Rosina, later Countess. But now he threatens - in view of the distinctive appearance Susan - apply that law again. In contrast Figaro formed its resistance and developed a complicated intrigue that does not work funnily enough, and finally the women prove to end up being the better strategist.

Filming

Under the title The Marriage of Figaro at the DEFA - director Georg Wild Hagen turned the 1949 musical film The Marriage of Figaro with Angelika Hauff, Willi Domgraf - Fassbaender and his wife Sabine Peters and Mathieu Meyer Ahlers. The script follows largely the original by Pierre Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais and the libretto by Lorenzo da Ponte.