Brandon Agee

February 2, 2023

Review of “Figaro’s Mistakes” by David B. Lewin

Lewin’s main argument is that what Freud viewed as misspeaking, misreading,

mishearing, and mislaying in Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro, were actually deeper intentions

and aspects of theater work that require a deeper look. He mentions this towards the end of his

first paragraph and in between providing the original and translated lyrics for the reader and is

able to prepare the reader for what they will be analyzing. The essay is organized in a way that

takes you through the various phrases that Freud notes as being ‘mistakes’, while maintaining the

order of the play. This structure allows the reader to follow along with the lyrics in a way that

lines up with the story, and not take the reader out of the story in order for them to be able to

grasp all the information, even if they are unfamiliar with the music.

Lewin’s deep analysis of the lyrics are apparent, as well as the ‘incorrect’ pitches that the

singers use which, as he explains, actually have purpose in furthering the story and building a

greater sense of drama between Figaro and Susanna. Lewin conveys his argument in a way that

is easy for the reader to follow. This is thanks to his ability to dissect and explain the specific

musical phrases and why they can be seen as wrong or incorrect, and then describing why this

choice in lyrics and melody fits the theme and story of this opening duet. One aspect of analysis

that I will use in my future approaches to musical analysis is the dissection of lyrics and why and

how singers or characters may be saying the things that they are, rather than paying attention to

what they are saying at face value.