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Overview

Synopsis

Count Almaviva is in love with a young woman named Rosina, so he disguises himself as a poor student so that she may fall in love for him, not his wealth. Rosina is barely allowed out of the house because her guardian, Bartolo, an old grumpy man, wants to marry her for her large dowry, once she is of age. Figaro, the local barber, used to be the Count’s servant, so the Count asked him to help him meet Rosina in private. Figaro, Almaviva, and Rosina all plot to trick Bartolo and ruin his plans to marry Rosina. However, Bartolo tricks Rosina into thinking that Linodoro works for Almaviva and is not in love with her. Devastated, she agrees to marry Bartolo. The Count and Figaro come to get Rosina, but she confronts Lindoro with what she has been told. Count Almaviva reveals himself to everyone and Rosina agrees to leave with him. Under Bartolo’s nose, The Count and Rosina get married, with Figaro as a witness. Rosina agrees to give Bartolo her dowry, and all sing of their love and happiness.

Show Information

Libretto
Cesare Sterbini
Based on the Play/Book/Film
Pierre Beaumarchais's Le Barbier de Seville
Category
Opera
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
1816
Genres
Comedy, Romance
Settings
Multiple Settings
Time & Place
Seville, Spain, Eighteenth Century
Cast Size
medium
Orchestra Size
Medium
Licensor
None/royalty-free
Ideal For
College/University, Professional Opera, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult Characters, Medium Cast

Context

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Count Almaviva

Lead

Male

Tenor

Bartolo

Lead

Male

Bass

Rosina

Lead

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Figaro

Lead

Male

Baritone

Basilio

Supporting

Male

Bass

Berta

Supporting

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Fiorello

Featured

Male

Bass

Ambrogio

Featured

Male

Bass

Various Officers, Soldiers, Policemen, a Notary

Ensemble

Male

Songs

Act I:

  • Overture
  • Introduzione (Fiorello, Chorus, Count Almaviva)
  • Cavatina: Ecco ridente la cielo (Count Almaviva)
  • Recitativo: Gente indisercta (Count Almaviva, Figaro, Fiorello)
  • Cavatina: Largo al factotum (Figaro)
  • Recitativo e canzone: Se il mio nome (Count Almaviva)
  • Duetto: All’idea di quel metalle (Count Almaviva, Figaro)
  • Cavatina: Una voce poco fa (Rosina)
  • Recitativo: Si, si la vincerò (Rosina, Figaro, Bartolo, Basilio)
  • Aria: La calunnia (Basilio)
  • Recitativo: Ah! Ah! Che ne dite (Basilio, Bartolo, Figaro, Rosina)
  • Duetto: Dunque io son (Rosina, Figaro)
  • Recitativo: Ora mi sento meglio (Bartolo, Rosina)
  • Aria: Manca un foglio (Bartolo)
  • Recitativo: Bruntola quanto vuoi (Rosina, Berta, Count Almaviva)
  • Finale Primo (Count Almaviva, Bartolo, Rosina, Berta, Basilio, Chorus)

Act II:

  • Recitativo e Duetto Pace e gioja sia con voi (Count Almaviva, Bartolo)
  • Recitativo: Insomma mio signore (Bartolo, Count Almaviva, Rosina)
  • Aria: Contro un cor (Rosina)
  • Recitativo e arietta: Quando mi sei vicina (Count Almaviva, Bartolo)
  • Quintetto (Rosina, Count Almaviva, Figaro, Bartolo, Basilio)
  • Recitativo: Ah! Disgraziato (Bartolo, Berta)
  • Arietta: Il vecchietto cerca moglie (Berta)
  • Recitativo: Dunque voi, Don Alonso (Bartolo, Basilio, Rosina)
  • Temporale
  • Recitativo: Alfine eccoci que (Count Almaviva, Figaro, Rosina)
  • Terzetto (Rosina, Count Almaviva, Figaro)
  • Recitativo: Ah! Disgraziati que (Figaro, Count Almaviva, Rosina, Basilio, Bartolo, Uffiziale)
  • Finale Ultimo (Figaro, Bartolo, Count Almaviva, Berta, Basilio, Rosina)

A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

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Scenes

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