Che soave zeffiretto - LE NOZZE DI FIGARO

Details

Description

Duettino: Che soave zeffiretto

OPERA: LE NOZZE DI FIGARO, K.492 (1786)
COMPOSER: WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART (1756 - 1791)
LIBRETTIST: LORENZO DA PONTE
CATEGORY: OPERA BUFFA, IV ACTS

SYNOPSIS:
Continuing my exploration of some of the operatic works of Mozart; here's the aria from Act III, scene x of "The Marriage of Figaro".

Following the Countess Almaviva's aria (Dove sono I bei momenti), Susanna, the Countess' chambermaid, enters and updates her regarding the plan to trap the Count. The Countess dictates a love letter for Susanna to give to the Count, which suggests that he meet her that night, "under the pines". The letter instructs the Count to return the brooch which fastens the letter. Both ladies are content with their plot and exit.

Karl Böhm conducts the Orchester der Deutschen Oper Berlin in this particular recording. Gundula Janowitz is singing the role of the Countess and Edith Mathis is singing the role of Susanna.

Enjoy!

La Bella Contessina

LIBRETTO:

RECITATIVO E DUETTINO

CONTESSA
Cosa mi narri! E che disse il Conte?

SUSANNA
Gli si leggeva in fronte
Il dispetto e la rabbia

CONTESSA
Piano: che meglio or lo porremo in gabbia.
Dov'è l'appuntamento
Che tu gli proposti?

SUSANNA
In giardino.

CONTESSA
Fissiamgli un luoco. Scrivi.

SUSANNA
Ch'io scriva? ...ma....signora...

CONTESSA
Eh scrivi, dico, e tutto
Io prendo su me stessa.
(Susanna siede e scrive)
Canzonetta su l'aria....

SUSANNA
Su l'aria...

CONTESSA
(detta)
Che soave zeffiretto...

SUSANNA
(ripete le parole della Contessa)
Zeffiretto....

CONTESSA
Questa sera spirerà!...

SUSANNA
Questa sera spirerà...

CONTESSA
Sotti i pini del boschetto.

SUSANNA
Sotto i pini del boschetto.

CONTESSA
Ei già il resto capirà.

SUSANNA
Certo, certo il capirà.
(piega la lettera)

ENGLISH TRANSLATION:

RECITATIVE AND DUET

COUNTESS
What can you tell me! And what did the Count say?

SUSANNA
You could read it in his face
His indignation and anger.

COUNTESS
Gently now: it will be easier to catch him.
Where is the rendezvous
That you suggested?

SUSANNA
In the garden.

COUNTESS
Let's fix a place for it. Write to him.

SUSANNA
Me write?...but....my lady...

COUNTESS
Write, I tell you,
And I'll take it all upon myself.
(Susanna sits down and writes)
A song to the zephyr...

SUSANNA
To the zephyr...

COUNTESS
(dictating)
How sweet the breeze...

SUSANNA
(repeating the Countess' words)
The breeze...

COUNTESS
Will be this evening...

SUSANNA
Will be this evening...

COUNTESS
In the pine grove...

SUSANNA
In the pine grove...

COUNTESS
The rest he'll understand.

SUSANNA
Most certainly, he'll understand.
(She folds the letter)