The Barber of Seville

The action takes place in Seville, Spain, in the 18^th Century.

ACT I

Scene 1
A square in the city of Seville

Count Almaviva, aided by his servant Fiorello and a band of musicians, sings under a balcony. Figaro enters, declaring that everyone in the city depends on him as barber and general factotum. Recognizing Figaro, the count confides to him that he has fallen in love with a young woman who stays in this house. The barber tells the count that the woman, Rosina, is Dr. Bartolo’s ward, and the old man plans to marry her for her dowry. The balcony door opens, and Rosina comes out with a letter she would like to give to her unknown suitor. She is interrupted by Bartolo who wants to know the contents of the letter. Rosina lets it drop to the street. As Dr. Bartolo goes down to get the letter, the count retrieves it. He sings to Rosina again, telling her that he is a poor student named Lindoro. The count and Figaro plot how to further the count’s cause.

PAUSE

Scene II
A room in Dr. Bartolo’s house

Rosina’s heart has been touched by her suitor Lindoro (the count in disguise), and she is determined to be with him and outwit Dr. Bartolo. Figaro enters but his conversation with Rosina is interrupted by Bartolo. Don Basilio, Rosina’s music teacher, informs Bartolo that Rosina’s secret lover Count Almaviva has arrived in Seville. Basilio suggests that they slander the count as a way of getting rid of him, but Bartolo thinks it would be better for him to marry Rosina as quickly as possible. Figaro has overheard this scheme, and he informs Rosina, but she is more interested in learning about her unknown suitor. Figaro tells her that the poor student is his cousin who has fallen hopelessly in love with her.

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There is a loud knock on the door. It is Count Almaviva, disguised as a drunken soldier. He claims that he has been assigned to billet in Bartolo’s house. Figaro attempts to quiet things down, but the Count becomes increasingly raucous. The police enter and are about to arrest the Count when he quietly signals his true identity to them. All are confused by the sudden turn of events.

INTERMISSION

ACT II
The music room in Dr. Bartolo’s house

Having found no one in the regiment who knows the drunken soldier, Dr. Bartolo’s suspicions have been aroused. A knock on the door reveals Count Almaviva, this time disguised as a music teacher named Don Alonso. He claims to have been sent to give Rosina her singing lesson because Don Basilio is ill. Bartolo is uneasy until the count gives him the letter he had received from Rosina, saying he will use it to convince the girl that he’d gotten it from another of the count’s lovers. Bartolo summons Rosina who immediately recognizes the count (as Lindoro). Bartolo falls asleep and the young couple plot to elope that evening. Figaro comes to give Bartolo his shave and uses the opportunity to steal the key to the balcony. They are suddenly interrupted by Basilio. Count Almaviva thinks quickly, convincing Bartolo that since the real music instructor doesn’t know anything about Rosina’s letter, Basilio might ruin the plan: the best thing to do is to get Basilio back home and to bed. They all convince Basilio that he is deathly ill (aided by a purse full of money from the count). The count tries to warn Rosina about the letter he has given Bartolo, but before he can, the doctor overhears him and chases the count and Figaro out.

Bartolo returns with Basilio, who suspects that Don Alonso was none other than Count Almaviva. Bartolo sends Basilio to make arrangements for an immediate wedding. He calls in Rosina and shows her the letter, telling the girl that he received it from a lover of Count Almaviva. It is proof that her beloved Lindoro planned to turn her over to the count. Stunned, Rosina agrees to marry Bartolo. He tells her to hide in her room while he goes to fetch the police.

After a storm the count and Figaro use a ladder to climb up to the balcony. Rosina greets them with reproaches. Heartened that Rosina really loves the poor student Lindoro, the count reveals his true identity and Rosina realizes that she has been duped by Bartolo. The three plan to flee but discover that the ladder has been removed. Basilio enters with the notary, and with a purse and gun the count convinces Basilio to facilitate his marriage to Rosina. Bartolo enters with the police, but it is too late. Bartolo finds some consolation in the fact that the count will let him keep Rosina’s dowry, and everyone celebrates the marriage of the count and Rosina.

World Premiere: Teatro Argentina, Rome, Italy, February 20, 1816

Images from Sarasota Opera's 2019 production of The Barber of Seville. Photos by Rod Millington.