Figaro was previously seen in ?The Barber of Seville? when he helped the Count obtain the hand of Rosina. To show his gratitude, the Count made him his personal valet. At the start of the opera, however, the Count begins to treat Figaro poorly due to his engagement to the beautiful Susannah, one of many for whom the noble man has his sights set on. Figaro maintains good humor throughout despite the Count?s ceaseless pursuit of his fiancé, though is quick-witted and plotting when he needs to be.
In ?Non piu andrai,? Figaro mockingly advises Cherubino to be vigilant in his new strict, military life to which the Count has dispatched him. Cherubino must go to the Count?s own military regiment in Seville where there will be no luxury, recreation, or women as punishment for his alleged affection for the Countess.
Non piú andrai, farfallone amoroso
No longer will-you-go, butterfly amorous,
notte e giorno, d'intorno girando,
night and day, all-around roaming,
delle belle turbando il riposo,
of-the beautiful-ones disturbing the sleep,
Narcisetto, Adoncino d'amor.
Little-Narcissus, little-Adonis of-love.
Non pi£ avrai questi bei pennacchini,
No longer will-you-have these beautiful feathers,
quel cappello, leggero e galante,
that cap, light and gallant,
quella chioma, quell'aria brillante,
that head-of-hair, that air clever,
quel vermiglio donnesco color.
that scarlet womanly color.
Fra guerrieri, poffar Bacco!
Among soldiers, by Bacchus,
gran mustacchi, stretto sacco,
great mustache, narrow pack,
schioppo in spalla, sciabla al fianco,
musket on shoulder, saber at-the side,
collo dritto, muso franco,
neck straight, face frank,
o un gran casco o un gran turbante,
either a great helmet or a large turban,
molto onor, poco contante.
much honor, little cash.
Ed invece del fandango, una marcia per il fango,
And instead of-the fandango, a march through the mud,
per montagne, per valloni,
through mountains, through valleys,
colle nevi e i sollioni,
with-the snow and the dog-days,
al concerto di tromboni, di bombarde, di cannoni,
to-the harmony of blunderbusses, of mortars, of cannon,
che le palle in tutti i tuoni
which the bullets in all the keys
all'orecchio fan fischiar.
to-the-ear make whistle.
Cherubino alla vittoria, alla gloria militar.
Cherubino to-the victory, to-the glory military.