This is one of the best-loved of Mozart's operas. It's full of humour and effective theatricality. It also reveals the composer's gifts for psychological accuracy and deep compassion,
Figaro, valet to a licentious and autocratic Count, is bethrothed to Susannah, maid to the Countess. The Count has recently revoked his traditional right to deflower every maiden in his court on her wedding night. Susannah's still wary of him.
Figaro owes money to an older woman, Marcellina. And he's signed a contract promising to marry her if he fails to repay it. Marcellina has applied for advice to Dr. Bartolo, a lawyer with a grudge against Figaro
Cherubino, a pageboy, has been threatened with banishment for his flirtations. The Countess has protected him from her husband's anger. Now he's in love with the Countess herself.
Cherubino hides as the Count accosts Susannah. Thery're interrupted by the arrival of his chaplain. Ashamed of being found with his wife's maid, the Count himself hides. They're both discovered. Cherubino is packed off to join the army.
The Countess laments the loss of her husband's love. Figaro and Susannah plan to rearouse it with jealousy. Cherubino comes to bid farewell to the Countess. Susannah hides him in the closet when the Count approaches. The Count goes to find a crowbar. A switch is effected. Cherubino escapes through the garden, and the Count finds Susannah in the closet. All seems well until a gardener testifies to seeing Cherubino drop from the window. Quick-witted Figaro claims it was he instead.
The Count tries to win Susannah by threatening to force Figaro to marry Marcellina. If she'll yield to him, he'll pay off the debt. Once the Count has enjoyed her, she and Figaro can marry. She pretends to agree. Bartolo and Marcellina then turn out to be Figaro's parents.
The Countess and Susannah arrange a rendezvous with the Count. The plan is that the Countess will disguise herself as Susannah. It's to take place in the garden, where Cherubino has already made an assignation with another maidservant.
Susannah and Figaro marry. That evening, wearing each others' clothes, the Countess and Susannah confound their husbands. Figaro has suspected Susannah of unfaithfulness; the Count has revealed his own. Both men recognise their faults and beg their wives' forgivness.
