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Figaro

Figaro

7 8.8
A clever servant who uses quick thinking in French plays and operas
  • proper noun
  • Literature
translation icon : Figaro
  • The opera excerpt that Andy Dufresne plays for his fellow inmates at Shawshank Prison is from Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro.
  • The Marriage of Figaro
  • Le Nozze di Figaro

Those are recordings of Mozart, the Marriage of Figaro and Don Giovanni.

Examples

  • In Mozart's opera, Figaro uses his wit to outsmart his employers.

  • What is this Marriage of Figaro ?

    Amadeus (1984)

  • Figaro, you may leave us.

    Scaramouche (1952)

  • Lady Bareacres, what did you make of the new Figaro?

    Vanity Fair (2004)

  • Figaro is to marry Susanna, but the count would like to have an affair with her.

    Academic text (1997)

  • This is an opera about a count and a countess and their servants, Figaro and Susanna.

    Academic text (1997)

  • Bloom has sung larger parts, including the title character in Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro," and Nick Shadow (the Devil) in Stravinsky's "The Rake's Progress."

    Blog text (8)

  • The character of Figaro has become an iconic symbol of cleverness in theatre.

  • In Beaumarchais' play, Figaro cleverly orchestrates a plan to help his friend marry the woman he loves.

Surface Forms

Figaro main

Etymology

Figaro was the name created by the French writer Beaumarchais for a clever servant and became famous in Mozart's opera, so the name sounds lively and musical. That's why Figaro brings to mind a witty, quick-thinking barber or helper on stage.