Il Barbiere di Siviglia

Act 1
A square in Seville. Accompanied by a few hungry and undisciplined musicians, Count Almaviva serenades under the window of the girl he loves, young Rosina, the ward of doctor Bartolo. Figaro, Bartolo’s barber arrives. The Count recognises his old servant and asks for his help to enable him to draw closer to his beloved. Rosina appears on the balcony and drops a note. In it she encourages her suitor to pursue his quest. Almaviva hastily picks up the note and, assuming the identity of Lindoro, a penniless and love-struck student, he answers with another serenade. Tempted by Almaviva’s largesse, Figaro agrees to help him get into the house of the old doctor. He advises Almaviva to disguise himself as a soldier, and then, furnished with a billeting order, to requisition a room in Bartolo’s house.

A room in the Bartolo household. Rosina declares her determination to break out of the gilded cage in which her guardian holds her prisoner. Meanwhile, Basilio, her music teacher, has just alerted Bartolo that Count Almaviva is in Seville, and that the latter is said to be in love with Rosina. The news is of great concern to Bartolo, who, eager to get his hands on Rosina’s dowry, has set his sights on marrying his charge. Together with Basilio, he looks for a way to discredit Almaviva in the eyes of Rosina, perhaps a campaign of slander…

In keeping with Figaro’s plan, the Count disguises himself as a soldier. Feigning drunkenness, he bursts into the house. Despite the protestations of Bartolo, Almaviva presents the billeting order. A lively dispute breaks out between the two men and the altercation provokes the arrival of the guard. However, the commanding officer, who has been discretely informed as to the true identity of the noble troublemaker, leaves without making an arrest, much to Bartolo’s astonishment.  

Act2
Bartolo’s home. This time Almaviva introduces himself as Basilio’s student. After announcing that the music teacher is ill, he explains that he has been sent as a replacement to give Rosina her singing lesson. He manages to win Bartolo’s trust by offering to help him discredit the Count in the eyes of the young girl. Just then, Figaro arrives to shave Bartolo in order to distract his attention and to facilitate the meeting between Rosina and the bogus music teacher. Basilio arrives unexpectedly to the great surprise of Bartolo who had thought he was ill.

A well-lined purse suffices to convince Basilio that he truly is sick and that he should take to his bed. Meanwhile Bartolo surprises the lovers’ tryst. Furious, he chases the bogus music teacher out of the house and decides to hasten his plans to marry Rosina. He manages to convince her that her suitor is making fun of her on behalf of a third party who seeks to seduce her.

Distraught, the young girl decides to take her revenge by marrying her guardian. Night falls and a storm breaks out. Figaro and the Count discreetly enter the house but Rosina rebuffs the young man. The misunderstanding is quickly resolved and the lovers make up. A notary arrives to sign the wedding contract between Rosina and Bartolo. Figaro turns the situation to their advantage and persuades him to sign the contract between Rosina and Almaviva, with Basilio as a witness. The offer of a precious ring and the threat of a pistol are enough to convince Basilio to betray Bartolo.

The contract is signed. When Bartolo arrives he is intent on stopping Almaviva but it is too late. The marriage is proclaimed and the Count reveals his true identity. The doctor has little choice but to accept. The Count’s promise to leave him the dowry of his ward calms his anger.