The work: --------- Le Nozze di Figaro ossia la folle giornata (KV 492) Dramma giocoso in quattro atti (Burgtheater Vienna, 1-May-1786) (The Marriage of Figaro) by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (*27-Jan-1756 Salzburg, +5-Dec-1791 Vienna) Libretto by Lorenzo da Ponte (Emanuele Conegliano) (*10-Mar-1749 Ceneda, +17-Aug-1838 New York) based on the comedy "Le mariage de Figaro" (Paris, 1784) by Beaumarchais (Pierre Augustin Caron) (*24-Jan-1732 Paris, +19-May-1799 Paris) Transcribed from G. Ricordi & C. Editori, Milano 1985 by Michael Bednarek [mb@nrhs.health.nsw.gov.au] Background: ----------- The score I used is much more than a piano excerpt; in fact, I'm convinced that some parts are unplayable: it really is a condensed orchestral score. I transcribed these pieces for the pleasure of seeing W.A. Mozart at work and, my own practical instrumental skills being limited, making the sounds come to live. I'm grateful to the author of "MOZART", a notation program like no other in its very pleasing method of using the computer keyboard economically to enter a musical score. The piece: ---------- Duetto - No.14: "Aprite, presto aprite" (due Soprani) Atto II. Scena IV. Susanna and Cherubino find themselves in a locked room while the Count has gone for tools to open it forcibly. In the end, Cherubino jumps out of the window. As with most pieces I did for "Nozze", the orchestra is here represented by MIDI instrument 49 "String Ensemble 1", Susanna is 69 "Oboe", Cherubino is 75 "Recorder" to provide a contrasting colour. Spatial orientation has Susanna and the high strings left, Cherubino and low strings right. To balance the MIDI output, I had to reduce Susanna's volume considerably, and to raise the level associated with pp for the orchestra. Details: -------- While the orchestra has a very strong theme, the soloists express their anguish in very fast quavers (eighths) without great melodies ("Sprechgesang"), albeit at times hightened to great dramatic effect by shifts in scale: a very brief, but memorable number. The crescendo for Susanna in the penultimate bar is mine. I am grateful for notification of any mistakes I may have made, or just for a brief email from anyone who used this file. Enjoy! Michael Bednarek http://www.geocities.com/mcmbednarek/