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ACT I: Seville, 1800s. At night, Count Almaviva brings a band
of musicians to serenade Rosina, ward of Dr. Bartolo, who keeps
the girl confined in his house. When Rosina fails to answer his
song, the count pays the players, and they leave. At the sound of
Figaro's voice, Almaviva steps away as the barber bounds in,
boasting of his busy life as the neighborhood factotum. Figaro,
though currently in Bartolo's employ, encounters Almaviva and
promises to help him win Rosina - for a suitable reward. No sooner
has Bartolo left the house to arrange his own marriage with Rosina
than Almaviva launches into a second 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.
Alone in the house, Rosina muses on the voice that has touched her
heart and resolves to outwit Bartolo. Figaro joins her, but they
leave on hearing footsteps. Bartolo enters with the music master,
Don Basilio, who tells him Almaviva is a rival for Rosina's hand
and advises slandering the nobleman's reputation. Bartolo agrees,
but Figaro overhears them. Warning Rosina that Bartolo plans to
marry her himself the very next day, the barber promises to
deliver a note she has written to "Lindoro." Rosina,
alone with Bartolo, undergoes an interrogation, then listens to
his boast that he is far too clever to be tricked. Berta, the
housekeeper, answers violent knocking at the door, returning with
Almaviva disguised as a drunken soldier in search of lodging.
While arguing with Bartolo, Almaviva manages to slip a love letter
to Rosina. But when Bartolo demands to see the letter, the girl
substitutes a laundry list. Figaro dashes in to warn that their
hubbub 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 everything that is happening.
ACT II: Bartolo receives a young music teacher, "Don Alonso" (again
Almaviva in disguise), who claims to be a substitute for the
ailing Basilio. Rosina enters, recognizes her suitor and begins
her singing lesson as Bartolo dozes in his chair. Figaro arrives
to shave the doctor and manages to steal the key to the balcony
window. Basilio now comes in, looking the picture of health;
bribed by Almaviva, he feigns illness and departs. Figaro shaves
Bartolo while Almaviva and Rosina plan their elopement that night.
They are overheard by the doctor, who drives Figaro and Almaviva
from the house and Rosina to her room, then sends again for
Basilio. Berta, unnerved by all the confusion, complains she is
going mad. Bartolo dispatches Basilio for a notary, then tricks
Rosina into believing "Lindoro" is really a flunky of
Almaviva. After a thunderstorm, Almaviva arrives with Figaro and
climbs through a balcony window to abduct Rosina. At first the
girl rebuffs "Lindoro," but when he explains that he and
Almaviva are one and the same, she falls into his arms. Figaro
urges haste, but before they can leave, their ladder is taken
away. Basilio enters with the notary. Though summoned to wed
Rosina and Bartolo, the official marries her instead to Almaviva,
who bribes Basilio. 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.
Source: Metopera Website |
