THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO Libretto ACT ONE
SUSANNA I have reasons enough.
Scene 1 An incompletely furnished room, with an armchair in the middle. Figaro has a ruler in his hand, Susanna is seated at a mirror, trying on a small, flowered hat.
FIGARO I can’t believe it. How can you deny the gift of this room when it’s the best spot in the palace?
FIGARO Fifteen, sixteen, twenty, thirty, thirtyseven by forty-three. SUSANNA Oh, this hat is simply lovely, everything a hat should be. Take a look, my darling Figaro. I will wear it at the wedding. FIGARO It will make a great sensation: everything a hat should be. SUSANNA Look, my love. FIGARO Yes, I’ve seen it. And yes, it’s charming. SUSANNA We will make a lovely couple when the knot is tied. SUSANNA, FIGARO Yes, it is our wedding morning, and to crown all the joy we are sharing, your/my Susanna will be wearing such a beautiful hat for a bride. SUSANNA I’m so clever. What on earth are you measuring, my darling Figaretto? FIGARO I’m seeing if the bed that the Count said he’ll give us would fit inside our beautiful new home. SUSANNA Don't you mean this room? FIGARO Certainly, and it’s a very generous gift from his lordship. SUSANNA You can sleep on your own then! FIGARO Why so unreasonable?
SUSANNA Because I’m Susanna and you’re a half-wit! FIGARO Flattery will get you nowhere. But, Susanetta, see if you can find a bedroom which is better. Supposing one evening the Countess should need you. Ding ding! Then she won’t have to ring more than twice. And then it might happen my master should want me. Dong dong! I’d be there by his side in no time. SUSANNA Supposing one morning, our sweet little Count were to call you. Ding ding! And to send you a long way away. Ding ding! If he wants me he knows where to find me; he’ll be there behind me. FIGARO Take care what you say. SUSANNA Listen, if you want the story, then don’t be suspicious – it’s grossly unfair. FIGARO I do want the story: my nagging suspicions are too much to bear. SUSANNA All right, shut up and listen. Our noble Count, weary of chasing all the pretty girls in the neighborhood, has decided to try his luck just a bit nearer home. And it’s not with his wife the Countess, more’s the pity. He’s lost his appetite for her. FIGARO Well then, who is it? SUSANNA It’s your very own Susanna! Who else? And when he needs me he won’t have far to wander. Proximity makes the heart grow fonder. 17