The Marriage of Figaro, K. 492: No. 19: Act III, Aria: Dove sono i bei momenti (soprano; Le Nozze di Figaro)

LE NOZZE DI FIGARO (THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO) is based on La folle journee ou le Mariage de Figaro (1784), a play adapted from the novel by Alexandre Dumas fils. The opera was originally titled Violetta, after the main character. Piave and Verdi wanted to follow Dumas in giving the opera a contemporary setting, but the authorities at La Fenice insisted that it be set in the past, ca. 1700. It was not until the 1880's that the composer's and librettist's original wishes were carried out and "realistic" productions were staged. LE NOZZE DI FIGARO premiered May 1, 1786 at the Burgtheater in Vienna. It has become immensely popular and is among the most frequently performed of all operas. DOVE SONO I BEI MOMENTI is sung in the third act where Countess Almaviva remembers moments of love and hopes that her persistence will make her husband love her again. Instrumentation: 0.2.0.2: 2.0.0.0: Str (4.4.3.3.3 in set): Solo Sop.