The Barber of Seville 1957

Synopsis
Artists

Figaro’s back…

…just in the nick of time, orchestrating a romance, foiling a dastardly plot, and lining his pockets with cash. Rossini’s masterpiece is the pinnacle of comic opera, Italian-style.

Music By

Gioachino Rossini

Libretto By

Cesare Sterbini

After the Play By

Beaumarchais

English Version By

George Mead

Act I

During a visit to Seville, the young and dashing Count Almaviva glimpsed a beautiful young girl whose name was, he discovered, Rosina. Now he has come, with a group of musicians, to serenade her, and to win her heart. The Count hides when Figaro, the barber, bounds in, boasting of his busy life as the neighborhood factotum. Figaro recognizes the Count as a former employer, and tells him that Rosina is kept a virtual prisoner in the house as the ward of a certain Dr. Bartolo who plans to marry her himself. Figaro agrees to help Almaviva win the hand of Rosina. The conversation is interrupted by the appearance of Dr. Bartolo, and no sooner has he left when Almaviva launches into a second serenade, describing himself as the poor student, Lindoro. Rosina attempts a reply, but is interrupted. Figaro suggests that Almaviva disguise himself as a drunken soldier in order to gain access to the house, and as the Count dwells on his love, the barber happily anticipates his reward.

Alone, Rosina resolves to oppose Bartolo, and to have her way with the young student who has touched her heart. Dr. Bartolo having heard of Almaviva’s interest in his ward, is told by Don Basilio, Rosina’s music teacher, that the Count has been seen in the neighborhood. To drive the Count away, Basilio suggests a campaign of slander, but Bartolo is afraid it will take too long. Figaro overhears the plot. Warning Rosina that Bartolo plans to marry her the following day, the barber promises to deliver a note which she has written to Lindoro. Berta, the maid, answers a violent knocking at the door. It is Almaviva, disguised as a drunken soldier seeking a night’s lodging. During a long argument with Bartolo, Almaviva slips a love note to Rosina. Figaro rushes in to warn that a crowd, attracted by the sounds of argument, has gathered in the street. Police arrive to quiet the disturbance. As the officer in charge is about to arrest the drunken soldier, Almaviva reveals his identity.

Act II

Pleased to be rid of Almaviva, Bartolo greets a young music teacher, ‘Don Alonzo’ (again Alma viva in disguise), who claims to be a substitute for the ailing Basilio. Rosina, quickly recognizing her suitor, begins her singing lesson as Bartolo dozes in his chair. Figaro arrives to shave the doctor, and is shortly followed by Basilio. Bribed by Almaviva, the music teacher feigns illness, and departs. Figaro shaves Bartolo while Rosina and Almaviva plan their elopement. The lovers are overhead by the suspicious doctor, who drives Figaro and Almaviva from the house, and Rosina to her room.

Bartolo persuades Rosina that the young man in disguise is really a servant of Almaviva who plans to turn her over to the Count. After a violent storm Almaviva and Figaro climb in through a window to fetch Rosina. At first, the girl rebuffs ‘Lindoro’, but when he reveals that Lindoro and Almaviva are the same person, she falls joyously into his arms. As they are about to leave, they discover that the ladder has been removed from the window. Basilio enters with a Notary. Although he had been summoned to wed Rosina and Bartolo the official is instructed to marry her instead to Almaviva. Rushing in too late, Dr. Bartolo bestows his blessing on the married couple.