The Barber of Seville

THE BARBER OF SEVILLE

TIME: Early 19^th century

PLACE: Seville, Spain

ACT ONE

Scene 1. At dawn, under the balcony of Dr. Bartolo’s house, hired musicians accompany Count Almaviva in an ardent serenade that he hopes will be heard by Bartolo’s ward, Rosina. Afterward, the musicians make an obsequious nuisance of themselves, but Almaviva’s servant Fiorello pays them well and sends them away.

Figaro, the barber, passes through, reveling in an occupation that has him wanted every minute of the day by everyone for every kind of task. Almaviva approaches the barber, revealing his love for Rosina, and is thrilled to learn that Figaro is a regular visitor in the household.

Almaviva launches into a second serenade, identifying himself as poor lovelorn “Lindoro.” Rosina responds sweetly from her window, but Almaviva is distressed when her singing is suddenly cut short. Almaviva is now determined to see Rosina, who’s kept under lock and key by Bartolo. Figaro hatches a scheme to get Almaviva into the house.

Scene 2. Rosina proclaims that “Lindoro” will be hers. When her music teacher, Don Basilio, pays a call on Bartolo, the doctor informs him that he intends to marry Rosina in the next 24 hours. Basilio lets Bartolo know that Count Almaviva has arrived in Seville, and Bartolo immediately suspects he may be Rosina’s secret admirer. Basilio suggests that Bartolo use slander to damage Almaviva’s reputation and force him to leave town. When Basilio confesses that he has no idea how slander works, Basilio describes it as resembling a gentle breeze that can expand into an explosion.

Rosina asks Figaro about the young man she heard singing outside her window. Figaro reveals that this is a young cousin of his who’s madly in love with a young girl named…Rosina! When Figaro requests a note from her so that “Lindoro” will know her true feelings, Rosina produces one she’s already written. Bartolo appears, and when Rosina’s nervous responses to him arouse his suspicions, he rails at her relentlessly for attempting to deceive him.

A persistent knock at the door is answered by Bartolo’s maid, Berta. It turns out to be a drunken soldier–actually Almaviva in disguise, demanding lodging privileges in the house. While creating general havoc, he manages to reveal his identity (that is, as “Lindoro”) to Rosina. When real soldiers arrive, Almaviva quietly makes clear to the sergeant exactly who he really is. The sergeant then shows such respect towards Almaviva that Bartolo is left utterly dumbfounded, as is the whole household.

ACT TWO

Bartolo gets another unexpected visitor. It is Almaviva once again, but he’s now masquerading as “Don Alonso,” a music teacher substituting for the ailing Basilio. He produces Rosina’s note to “Lindoro,” saying he found it at the inn where the Count is staying. Bartolo is pleased when “Don Alonso” offers to make Rosina believe the Count is deceiving her.

When Rosina appears for her lesson, “Don Alonso” reveals his true identity to her. When the real Basilio arrives, Figaro is able to convince him that he has scarlet fever, and everyone sends him home to recover. Figaro then manages to find the key that will get him and Almaviva into the house later that night. While the barber attempts to distract Bartolo with a shave, Almaviva and Rosina make plans for their elopement. Bartolo suspects that they’re scheming behind his back and angrily orders “Don Alonso” out of the house. Berta takes a moment to complain about the craziness that love is causing in the household, while also wishing she could somehow find love herself.

When shown the letter from “Lindoro,” Rosina, feeling betrayed, agrees to marry Bartolo. After a thunderstorm has subsided, the Count and the barber carefully make their way into the house. Rosina awakes, furious with the man she still knows only as “Lindoro,” but he now reveals to her that “Lindoro” and Count Almaviva are one and the same. The lovers and Figaro are finally ready to leave, but someone has removed their ladder! They attempt to sneak away but run into Basilio with a notary, summoned at Bartolo’s request. Almaviva bribes Basilio with a ring and the Count and Rosina quickly sign a marriage contract. Bartolo arrives with soldiers, but it’s too late. He resigns himself to the situation, and all ends happily for Almaviva and Rosina.