This 'Canzona' comes from Mozart's comic opera "The Marriage of Figaro," first performed in Vienna in 1786. Cherubino is a young page in the household of Count Almaviva, although the role is written for a soprano and usually cast for a singer with 'boyish' looks. The song, entitle "Voi che sapete" (Tell me fair ladies), is introduced in the opera as if written by Cherubino himself and is simply a diversion rather than of relevance to the plot. Although initial reaction to "The Marriage of Figaro" was somewhat lukewarm, it has of course established itself as one of the great comic operas, and this canzona became and 18th century "pop" song.
