Mozart: Le nozze di Figaro Act III-IV | Freni, Te Kenawa, Prey, Fischer-Dieskau - Bohm (1976)

ACT III
Figaro stalls Marcellina by telling her that he is of noble birth and cannot marry without his parents' consent. He reveals a birthmark on his arm, whereupon Marcellina realizes that she and Bartolo have found their long-lost son. They embrace just as Susanne enters. She is furious, but once the situation is explained she joins in the celebration. After the countess has dictated the note that Susanna is to pass to the Count, a double wedding is prepared - Susanna and Figaro being joined by Marcellina and Bartolo.

ACT IV
Figaro encounters Barbarina, the gardener's daughter, who inadvertently reveals that Susanna has received a message from the count. Figaro assumes the worst, and decides to catch his errant wife when she arrives for her tryst in the garden. The countess and Susanna appear in each other's clothes (Susanne has now taken Cherubino's place in the subterfuge) and much mistaken identity ensues in the darkness (Cherubino is there to meet Barbarina too). Eventually Figaro realizes his wife is faithful and the count realizes he has been tricked. He begs for his wife's forgiveness, and receives it.