Barber of Seville Illustration by Benedetto Cristofani

The Barber of Seville

Synopsis
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Figaro here, Figaro there, Figaro everywhere!

Figaro, Figaro, FI-GA-RO! The Count is in love with Rosina, but how will he win her love? How will she escape the clutches of her guardian, Doctor Bartolo? With the assistance of Figaro, the Barber of Seville, of course!

This classic comedy with a playful energy that springs from Rossini’s ebullient music returns in a whimsical new production by Stephen Barlow.

¡Figaro aquí, Figaro allá, Figaro en todas partes!

Figaro, Figaro, FI-GA-RO! El Conde está enamorado de Rosina, pero ¿Cómo se ganará su amor? ¿Cómo escapará ella de las garras de su tutor, el doctor Bartolo? ¡Con la ayuda de Figaro, el Barbero de Sevilla, por supuesto!

Esta comedia clásica con energía juguetona que surge de la exuberante música de Rossini regresa en una nueva y ingeniosa producción de Stephen Barlow.

Music By

Gioachino Rossini

Libretto By

Cesare Sterbini

Sung In

Italian

Instant Translation Screen

English and Spanish

Production Support Generously Provided By

David A. Kaplan & Glenn A. Ostergaard, Brautigam-Kaplan Foundation

James R. Seitz, Jr.

Additional artistic support provided by

The Carl & Marilynn Thoma Foundation

The L.A. Crosby & A.O. Crosby Endowment Fund

The performances of Iván López-Reynoso are underwritten by

The John Crosby Conductor's Chair endowed by Flora L. Thornton

The performances of Jack Swanson and Joshua Hopkins are supported by

The Joseph and Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation

The engagement of Ryan Speedo Green is supported by

The Peter B. Frank Principal Artist Fund

Production Illustration By

Benedetto Cristofani

Run Time

Approximately 2 hours 50 minutes; includes a 25-minute intermission

Act I

A piazza in Seville, in front of Bartolo’s house. Count Almaviva, grandee of Spain, has seen a beautiful girl on the Prado in Madrid and has followed her to Seville in the disguise of a student. After serenading the girl below her window, he meets by chance, his former valet Figaro in front of her house, and learns the girl is the ward of grumpy old Doctor Bartolo. Almaviva enlists Figaro’s help — for a handsome fee, of course — in freeing the lovely and spirited Rosina from her cage. He sings under her window, telling her he is the poor student Lindoro. The ever-inventive Figaro suggests sending the Count into the household disguised as a drunken soldier.

Rosina is determined to meet and conquer her suitor, despite Bartolo’s controlling ways and his equal determination to marry her expeditiously. When Figaro convinces her that she is indeed the beloved of his poor cousin “Lindoro,” she gives him a letter to take to the boy. Meanwhile, Don Basilio, the music teacher, gets wind of the arrival of Count Almaviva in Seville, and warns Bartolo that they must spread some evil rumor about the Count to drive him away lest he come courting their girl.

The Count comes courting indeed disguised as a soldier, demanding lodging and letting the astonished Rosina know with a wink that he’s beneath the military disguise.
Act II

Inside Bartolo’s house. Bartolo is lost in thought. Might the soldier have been a spy? A visitor enters and introduces himself as “Don Alonso” (Almaviva), arriving to give the girl a music lesson in place of Don Basilio, who he says is ill. Alonso gains Bartolo’s confidence by showing him Rosina’s letter to the Count, and offering to tell her that a mistress of the Count’s gave it to him, as a way to dissuade Rosina from her crush. Rosina comes out reluctantly, but again recognizing “Lindoro” beneath the disguise, is suddenly delighted to sing for the visiting teacher.

Figaro enters, ready to shave and trim Bartolo, and contriving to get a key to Rosina’s balcony. But who should then appear but Don Basilio, in perfect health. Almaviva hastens the course of his illness with a quick bribe, and the others shoo him out. Almaviva whispers to Rosina that he and Figaro will come at midnight to whisk her away to wedded bliss. Bartolo overhears and, realizing he’s been tricked again, chases them all out in a fury.

Later Bartolo shows Rosina her own note to “Lindoro,” telling her the Count is merely toying with her. Rosina, thunderstruck, discloses the escape plan and agrees to marry Bartolo after all. At midnight, during a thunderstorm, Figaro and the Count arrive for the elopement, and a livid Rosina confronts them. It’s Lindoro she wanted, nothing to do with “your vile Count Almaviva.” The “vile” one reveals himself, and the three are overjoyed — but their joy turns to panic when Figaro realizes the ladder by which they entered has been moved. The doctor has foiled their escape.

A notary enters, followed by Basilio, who after another friendly financial inducement from the Count, agrees to serve as wedding witness. By the time Bartolo rushes back in, the deed is done, the girl has become a Countess and the dowry is the doctor’s to keep.

Love has triumphed and everyone’s good spirits are restored.