The Marriage of Figaro (Le nozze di Figaro), K. 492
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Work background
Researched classical background
The Marriage of Figaro adapts Beaumarchais's play through Lorenzo Da Ponte's libretto. A single day's deceptions place servants and aristocrats in shifting relationships of power, desire, and misunderstanding. Mozart's ensembles allow several characters to express different thoughts at once, while the Countess's arias bring emotional depth to the comedy. The opera is a complete four-act drama rather than a collection of unrelated songs.
Inspiration and creative background
Beaumarchais's play supplied the dramatic source, adapted for Mozart by Lorenzo Da Ponte.
The Opera's Plot and Creation | Metropolitan Opera
Work identity, chronology where stated, and the specific musical or historical context summarized in this entry. | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Le Nozze di Figaro - Opera - Season 25/26 Programming - Opera national de Paris
Work identity, chronology where stated, and the specific musical or historical context summarized in this entry. | Reviewed 2026-10-19
A listening guide
Follow the growing ensembles and hear how Mozart keeps each character recognizable within the shared music.
Listening suggestions are editorial guides to the music.
Forces: Vocal soloists, chorus, and orchestra
Premiere: 1786
The Vienna premiere dates the opera, not any later recording or production.
This entry describes the musical work or cycle. Composition, premiere and publication dates describe different events. Performers and recordings can be explored through the external listening search.
Also known as: Le nozze di Figaro
The Opera's Plot and Creation | Metropolitan Opera
Work identity, chronology where stated, and the specific musical or historical context summarized in this entry. | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Le Nozze di Figaro - Opera - Season 25/26 Programming - Opera national de Paris
Work identity, chronology where stated, and the specific musical or historical context summarized in this entry. | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Sources for this work
The Opera's Plot and Creation | Metropolitan Opera
Work identity, chronology where stated, and the specific musical or historical context summarized in this entry. | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Le Nozze di Figaro - Opera - Season 25/26 Programming - Opera national de Paris
Work identity, chronology where stated, and the specific musical or historical context summarized in this entry. | Reviewed 2026-10-19
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