Act 1

Act 1 The Marriage of Figaro opens on the day of Figaro and Suzanne's marriage. Suzanne informs her fiancé that the Count has offered her a dowry if she spends the first night with him. Figaro realizes that he must take quick action to thwart the Count's desires. He vows to mislead the Count by moving ahead the time the wedding will take place. At the same time, he must ward off Marceline, who wants to marry him. Marceline has involved Bartholo in her plans to win Figaro, which include encouraging the Count to oppose the marriage between Suzanne and Figaro.

Alone in her room, Suzanne is visited by Cherubino, whom the Count has dismissed upon catching him in Fanchette's room. Cherubino wants Suzanne to persuade the Count to reinstate him. The Count's arrival forces Cherubino to hide behind the chair and thus overhear the Count asking...