The Barber of Seville

Setting:  Seville, Spain, 1800s.

Act I. A square near Dr. Bartolo’s house.  At night, Count Almaviva hires a band of musicians to serenade Rosina, ward of Dr. Bartolo, who keeps the girl confined in his house. When Rosina fails to respond, the Count sends the musicians away.  Almaviva steps away as the barber, Figaro, bounds in, boasting of his busy life as the neighborhood factotum.  Though currently in Bartolo's employ, Figaro encounters Almaviva and promises to help him win Rosina - for a suitable reward.  As Bartolo leaves the house to arrange his own marriage with Rosina, Almaviva launches into another serenade, calling himself "Lindoro," a poor creature who can offer only love.  Figaro suggests Almaviva disguise himself as a drunken soldier billeted to Bartolo's house.

Act II. Dr. Bartolo’s house. Alone, Rosina muses on the voice that has touched her heart and resolves to outwit Bartolo. Figaro enters, but hides at the sound of footsteps.  Bartolo enters with the music master, Don Basilio, who reveals Almaviva’s intentions and advises slandering the nobleman's reputation. Figaro overhears them and warns Rosina that Bartolo plans to marry her the very next day.  The barber promises to deliver a note she has written to "Lindoro." After Figaro departs, Bartolo questions Rosina’s surreptitious activities, and boasts that he is far too clever to be tricked. Berta, the housekeeper, answers a pounding at the door, returning with Almaviva disguised as a drunken soldier in search of lodging.  Almaviva slips a love letter to Rosina while arguing with Bartolo, but she substitutes a laundry list when Bartolo demands to see the letter. Figaro dashes in to warn that the commotion has attracted a crowd. Police arrive to silence the disturbance. As an officer is about to arrest him, Almaviva whispers his identity and is released. Rosina, Berta, Bartolo and Basilio are stupefied by the turn of events.

Act III. Dr. Bartolo’s house.  Bartolo receives a young music teacher, "Don Alonso" (again Almaviva in disguise), who claims to be a substitute for the ailing Basilio. Rosina recognizes her suitor and begins her lesson as Bartolo dozes in his chair. Figaro arrives to shave the doctor and manages to steal the key to the balcony window. Basilio arrives unexpectedly, looking the picture of health; Almaviva bribes him to feign illness and depart. Figaro shaves Bartolo while Almaviva and Rosina plan their elopement that night. The doctor overhears them, drives Figaro and Almaviva from the house, and sends Rosina to her room. Amid the confusion, Berta complains she is going mad. Bartolo summons Basilio and dispatches him for a notary, then tricks Rosina into believing "Lindoro" is really a flunky of Almaviva. During a thunderstorm, Almaviva and Figaro climb through a balcony window to rescue Rosina. The girl rebuffs "Lindoro," but when he explains that Lindoro and Almaviva are one and the same, she falls into his arms. Figaro urges haste, but they find their ladder has been taken away. Basilio enters with the notary.  Almaviva coerces Basilio to serve as witness, and the official agrees to marry Rosina to Almaviva instead of Bartolo.  Rushing in too late, Bartolo finds the lovers already wed. When Almaviva allows him to keep Rosina's dowry, the old man accepts the situation.

-- courtesy of Opera News