Overview
Synopsis
Count Almaviva of Madrid wants what he can’t have - and that happens to be the hand of a beautiful young noblewoman named Rosine. Rosine is held prisoner by her jealous guardian, Bartholo, who would prefer to keep the lady and her inheritances for himself. Enlisting the help of his wily servant, Figaro, Almaviva plots, schemes and disguises his way into the home and heart of his love, and ultimately proves the moral of the story: “when youth and love are at one, anything that age may do to prevent them can only be described as a futile precaution.”
Filled to the brim with romance, misunderstandings, disguises, hidden doorways, lost letters, music and laughter, The Barber of Seville is a genre-defining classic of French Farce, and the inspiration for Rossini’s beloved opera by the same name.
Show Information
- Book
- Pierre Beaumarchais
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 4
- First Produced
- 1775
- Genres
- Comedy, Farce
- Settings
- Period
- Time & Place
- Seville, Spain. 17th C.
- Cast Size
- medium
- Orchestra Size
- None
- Dancing
- None
- Licensor
- Concord Theatricals
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, Diverse Cast, Large Cast, High School, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult, Elderly Characters, Medium Cast
Context
Although the original French text by Beaumarchais is in the public domain, most English translations of this work are still licensed by Concord Theatricals and other publishers.
to read the context for The Barber of Seville and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Ensemble |
Male |
Non-singer |
Songs
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
Scenes
Key Terms
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Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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