Opera "Le Nozze di Figaro": content, video, interesting facts, history

V.A. Mozart opera "Marriage of Figaro"

Sparkling brilliant comedy based on the play by French playwright Pierre Augustin Beaumarchais Mad Day, or Figaro's Wedding. The libretto for opera significantly reworked the Italian poet and translator Lorenzo da Ponte. One of the most beautiful pearls of the opera art, meeting the constant applause and delight of the public everywhere.

Summary of the opera Mozart "The wedding of Figaro" and many interesting facts about this piece read on our page.

Summary of the "Weddings of Figaro"

The opera buffa ("buffa" - Italian. "Joke") illustrates a comedy of positions. Situations on the scene are rapidly changing, the plot vividly evolves. The constant confusion and confusion associated with the disguise of a man in a woman's dress are characteristic signs of the popular opera of that time as a genre. Many principles of the art of slapstick can be seen in today's successors of this genre - comedies: parodies, plot developmental mobility, satirical orientation of the household storyline.

In the opera 4 actions in 2 acts. The whole plot is developed in the Spanish castle of Count Almaviva. The central event of the plot is the upcoming marriage of the main characters, Figaro and Suzanne. Both serve in the castle as a count and a countess. According to the ancient feudal custom, the lord had the right of the "first wedding night". This rule Almaviva abolished after his marriage. But for how long?

Jealous of his wife, the count is dragged behind every pretty woman. This becomes the object of Figaro's mockery and a reason to teach him a good time. In the course of numerous conflicts, the witty servant Figaro defeats his master several times and sets him back to "his place" - at the end of the action, the humiliated count asks his wife for forgiveness on their knees.

A photo:

Interesting Facts

• Initially, in the play Beaumarchais, events took place in France, but because of the fears of "pouring oil on fire" of pre-revolutionary sentiments, the action was transferred to Spain.
• The most dangerous moments from it were cut out by the librettist or replaced. For example, Figaro's strong political monologues, in which he denounced the inherited nobility of the aristocracy, were completely removed. And instead of them, a number appeared that Beaumarchais did not have - an angry aria against unfaithful wives. Thus, the play has lost its sharp political focus.
• The overture of the opera is unique and does not correspond to the traditions of that time. Sonata form and self-contained sounding allow you to perform it as a separate orchestral piece.
• Among the admirers of the opera there are the greatest composers. Joseph Haydnbeing a close friend Mozart, despite the great difference in age, never tired of admiring "The Figaro's Wedding". BUT Johannes brahms, 100 years after the premiere, he wrote: "Every number in Figaro is a miracle! It’s just incomprehensible how anyone could create something so beautiful! No one can ever surpass this, even Beethoven!"
• "The wedding of Figaro" became the pinnacle of Mozart's glory during his lifetime.
• Together with the librettist Lorenzo da Ponte, 2 more operas were written - Don Juan and Everybody Do This.
• In the USSR, in the theater production of Lenkom, the play The Marriage of Figaro was a resounding success, thanks to which it was screened in 1974.
• The role of Figaro at that time and throughout 18 theatrical seasons was performed by the terrific Andrei Mironov. This role became his "swan song" - in August 1987 at the end of the performance he became ill, and after 2 days he died without regaining consciousness. Subsequently, the production was dedicated to him: each performance of The Marriage of Figaro ends with a minute of memory of the great actor.

• The author wrote an opera commissioned by the emperor. However, the conditions in which the work took place left much to be desired: there was a catastrophic lack of money, he constantly borrowed from friends, hoping that the opera would become popular and bring income. The rivals were constantly built by rivals, many understood that Mozart's musical thinking was a fundamentally new approach, significantly different from the typical works of composers of the time, it was impossible to compete with Mozart in this regard.
• Centuries later, all the musical performances that went to those years in Vienna have sunk into oblivion, the names of the composers who tried to hinder the success of Mozart are forgotten. Time put everything in its place, truly brilliant music is still loved by listeners around the world.
• In Russia, the opera was first staged at the Mariinsky Theater only in 1901. It is noteworthy that the Russian translation for her did Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky in 1875. Since then, opera arias from The Marriage of Figaro have been known in Russia equally in the Italian version and in the Russian one.

Popular arias:

"Se vuol ballare" ("If the count wants to dance) - aria Figaro, Act I, scene II (listen)

"Non più andrai" ("Boy frisky, curly, in love) - aria Figaro, Act I, scene VIII (listen)

"Porgi, amor, qualche ristoro" (God of love, give consolation) - Countess's aria, Act II, Scene I (listen)

"Venite, inginocchiatevi" ("Come ...") - Susanna's aria, Act II, scene II (listen)

"Voi, che sapete" (The heart cares ") - Cherubino's aria, Act II, scene II (listen)

The story of the creation of "The Figaro Wedding"

To work on the opera Mozart started in December 1785. However, he thought about the idea of ​​its creation at the beginning of 1782. The basis of the plot was the comedy of Beaumarchais, which was originally banned in Austria because of the high-profile content at that time. At home in France, the production caused excitement, since it coincided with the pre-revolutionary moods. Librettist Lorenzo da Ponte was able to get permission to continue working on the opera, convincing Emperor Joseph II that he had cut the most dangerous moments, and the main plot would be perceived less acutely due to the imposition of music.

The revolutionary idea of ​​the play was an unprecedented audacity to compare the personal qualities of the representative of the lower class and the feudal lord. In this contrast, Figaro, the lackey, with the help of wit, resourcefulness and enterprise, several times embarrasses his lord Count Almaviva. The inviolability of the master class was first criticized.

The theme was close to Mozart - musicians as a class were not respected at that time. It is known for certain that Mozart, who had spoken in the royal houses of Europe since early childhood, was distinguished by a rare sense of self-worth. Not exaggerating the values ​​of his own person, but not detracting from the divine talent, he acutely felt the estate difference.

The musical drama of the opera was also revolutionary. In Figaro's Wedding, music clearly played a dominant role — the characters of the heroes and the acuteness of intrigue were revealed solely by musical means. Here the composer surpassed himself in sharpening strokes, the slightest nuances and details. Previously, the libretto gave a leading place in musical performances, for the development of the plot they used recitative, and the arias had a “decorative” purpose - in them the artists demonstrated the capabilities of their voice. Mozart throughout the opera goes through the development of the plot, the music is organically woven into it, at the same time serving as an addition to the characters and getting its own dramatic development.

Opera has always been a favorite genre of the composer. Thanks to a rich toolkit of expressive means - music, a combination of voice and instruments, theatrical possibilities and scenery - in the opera you can realize the talent for composing music. Mozart is rightly considered the greatest melodist. Having absorbed and reworked the peculiarities of German folk song and Italian cantilena, its melody and harmony are distinguished by clarity, purity and extraordinary emotionality. Even in instrumental works, it is often possible to recognize the signs of an opera - in opposition to the characters / themes, in the development of musical tissue.

For Mozart himself, Le nozze di Figaro became the most beloved opera. In life, he was a very observant person, the accuracy of his characteristics amazed everyone who communicated with him. Spontaneous and easy, loving fun and cheerfulness, Wolfgang often made fun of others, ridiculing himself, including. In his work on The Figaro's Wedding, his talent to subtly feel and convey the psychological moments of people's relationships revealed in the most brilliant form.

Images in the opera

Wolfgang actively participated in the work on the libretto. He liked the elegant, poetic syllable da Ponte, who easily went to music. Recycling the play by Beaumarchais, the librettist introduced, at the direction of Mozart, changes in the characters of the characters. Despite the frivolous nature of the whole action, which is usually defined as a household comedy or opera buffa, the topics covered by social inequality and the psychological maturity of the characters make the viewer think about a lot, which is not typical of an entertaining genre.

So Countesswhich in the play looks rather superficial, in the opera receives expressive, full of languor and depths of the aria ("God of love, take pity and heed"). Mozart ennobled the image of the countess, suffering from the love of her husband, who was fond of every pretty woman.

Form count also survived the transformation. Aria "Tell me why you tortured me so cruelly," added passion to the character. He was not so flat and silly, as in the original version.

The image looks incredibly lively. Suzannebeloved Figaro. Her character was not given to Mozart as easily as it looks on the stage - the game was rewritten many times. He sought the simplicity and grace of sound, while trying to preserve the charm of Suzanne.

But after laborious work on the party of Suzanne, work on the way the page Cherubino brought real relaxation and pleasure. Singer of love, young man, always in love with someone, captivating with sincerity and love of life.

A portrait Figaro accommodated many of the features of the composer. Mozart genuinely admired this character, his cunning, courage, how cleverly he disgraced the count, having won the "intellectual battle", as they would say now. After all, he himself experienced something similar in Salzburg with Archbishop Koloredo.

The consignment Barbarines was written for the young singer Anna Gottlieb. Lorenzo da Ponte reproached Mozart with the fact that he gave such a beautiful melody (Barbarina’s famous aria “Dropped a brooch ...”) to a minor character. Mozart only laughed.

It is noteworthy that the overture in the form of music was recorded 2 days before the premiere. She departed from the canon of writing overtures adopted at that time: there was no slow part and main themes from the opera. It is an independent instrumental work, conveying the general character of the upcoming musical narration. Fast tempo, life-affirming sound, passages, rustles, sudden chords of the wind create an atmosphere of mystery and intrigue.

After more than 200 years, the opera has not lost its relevance and freshness. Today it is one of the most repertory operas, and the number of its fans is constantly growing. But it was not always so.

First productions

Work on the opera lasted no more than 5 months. Already May 1, 1786 premiere. The presentation was not delayed for one hour. The crowded Burgtheater applauded individual numbers, forcing the artists to repeat especially liked arias several times, until the emperor ordered to ban repetitions more than 1 time.

However, after the premiere, the production sustained 8 performances from the force, after which it was forgotten by crowns for 2 years. At this time, the premieres of the operas Salieri and Soler were very successful, and the new waltz was in vogue. The spoiled crowns quickly forgot yesterday's idols.

However, the premiere of Le Nozze di Figaro, which took place in Prague in December of the same year, brought genuine recognition to the opera. Even a year later, upon arriving in Prague, Wolfgang wrote in a letter to his father, "Here you can hear motifs from everywhere" Figaro's Wedding - on every street, from every street institution, the townspeople just whistling tunes, doing some work. "

In Vienna, the performance resumed after 2 years on the initiative of Antonio Salieri. He also directed the production. Contrary to popular belief, Salieri respected Mozart with great respect and believed that his immortal music should be played on the best theatrical stage.

Music from the opera "Le Nozze di Figaro" by V.A. Mozart to the movies

Such expressive music is loved by the cinema - from historical films to super-modern action films and the Action genre. There are separate melodies and motifs, as well as separate rooms in the studio recording.

This is not a complete list of films in which you can hear it:

• Most often it sounds OvertureFor example, in the spectacular film Mission Impossible: The Outcast Tribe (2015) with Tom Cruise, the beautiful melodrama Milk and Money (1996), Big Medicine (1989), Dom (2008), Ipkress File ( 1965), The Last Hero (1993), Swap Places (1983), Wonders of Science (1985);

• Duet Suzanne and Countess "What a wonderful Zephyr (breeze)":

"Escape from the Shawshank" (1994) (nominated for an Oscar), "A Man Who Was Not There" (2001);

• Cavatina Barbarina "Dropped, lost ...":

"Accompanist" (1992);

• Aria Figaro "Boy frisky, curly, in love":

Oscar-winning "Amadeus" by Miloš Forman (1984) (8 awards, 32 awards and 13 nominations), "Playing Classics" (1980), "Mr. Magu" (1997);

• Overture and Aria:

Runaway Bride (1999) with gorgeous Julia Roberts;

• Aria "You who know what love is":

"I Dreamed of Africa" ​​(2000), "Sparks of Eyes" (1987), "The Story of a Nun" (1959) with Audrey Hepburn, "The Soldier's Daughter Never Crying" (1998);

• Recitative and Aria "As the night and my secrets are connected," "In the desire of one who adores" (Rondo):

"Active Search" (2016).

Today opera productions Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart "The wedding of Figaro" attracted great attention of art lovers. Opera artists dream of performing parts in this ingenious work. The opera has passed the test of time and is recognized as a masterpiece for all times.