At the beginning of Act II we meet – for the first time – one of the main characters of the opera, the Countess. Her two main arias, here opening Act II and in Act III, contain some of Mozart’s finest vocal writing. Both reflect sadness at the infidelities of her husband, the Count. The first, Porgi, amor, is an expression of her deep despair, while the second, Dove sono, recalls a happier past.
Meanwhile, the Cherubino sub-plot continues with the canzona Voi che sapete and, throughout the work, the composer’s brilliant ensemble writing ranges from duets –Sull’aria – to the astonishing comic timing of the sextet Riconosci in questo amplesso.
Act II
47:01 Porgi, amor
56:48 Voi che sapete
1:01:04 Venite, inginocchiatevi
1:08:49 Susanna, or via sortite!
1:13:10 Aprite, presto aprite
1:16:07 Esci omai, garzon malnato
Act III 1:37:40
1:40:38 Crudel! Perchè finora
1:44:11 Hai già vinta la causa!… Vedrò mentr’io sospiro
1:49:56 E Susanna non vien!…Dove sono i bei momenti
2:07:57 Sull’aria
Act IV 2:22:02
2:41:37 Deh vieni non tardar
Libretto (with English translation)
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Pantygwydr!
The Art of Listening 