IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA

Characters:
Rosina, rich pupil of Doctor Bartolo – soprano
Doctor Bartolo – bass
Count Almaviva, a local nobleman using the pseudonym Lindoro – tenor
Figaro, Barber of Seville – baritone
Fiorello, servant of the Count – bass
Basilio, Bartolo's accomplice, music teacher – bass
Berta, Dr. Bartolo's maid – soprano
Ambrogio, Bartolo's servant
A Notary

Act I
In front of the home of Dr. Bartolo, Rosina's guardian, musicians gather – Count Almaviva, who is in love with Rosina, is about to serenade her. But it remains unheard. The cunning and inventive barber Figaro appears. The Count reveals to him why he is in Seville and asks the barber to help him get in touch with the beauty.

She herself appears on the balcony, with Bartolo behind her, following her steadfastly. But the girl still manages to secretly drop a note for her suitor from above, asking him to reveal who he is, and he introduces himself to her by the assumed name of Lindor. After Rosina is forced to go inside, Almaviva turns to Figaro and promises him a generous reward if he assists him in seeing his beloved again. Figaro immediately hatches a plan: the Count is to disguise himself as a soldier and enter Bartolo's home under the pretext that he is looking for lodgings.

Act II
Bartolo's home. Rosina writes a letter to her Lindoro, and the incredulous Bartolo questions the servants about Figaro's appearance. But he gets nowhere – Figaro has given the servant a lullaby and the housekeeper – a snuff.

Rosina's music teacher, the venal and conniving Don Basilio, arrives. Bartolo shares with him his intention to marry Rosina the very next day. And Basilio informs him that Count Almaviva is in Seville and suggests that the doctor drop some slander to get rid of him.

However, Figaro has overheard everything and warns Rosina. She in turn hands him a letter for Lindorо.

Almaviva bursts into the house, disguised as a cavalryman: he is looking for lodgings. He pays no attention to Bartolo's explanations that no one is allowed to stay in his house. And despite pretending to be drunk and causing a commotion, the Count still manages to deliver a secret letter to Rosina. In the meantime, there is a great uproar, the town guard comes, they want to arrest the drunk, but he shows some document and to everyone's amazement the officer respectfully salutes and retreats.

Act III
No peace of mind for Dr. Bartolo. Count Almaviva is at his home again – this time posing as a pupil of Don Basilio, who is ill and has therefore sent his pupil to give Rosina a singing lesson. Who, of course, is delighted with her teacher.

Meanwhile, Figaro arrives – to give the Count and Rosina a chance to chat in peace, he kindly offers Bartolo a shave. Most unexpectedly, Don Basilio appears, not at all ill. Rosina, Figaro and Almaviva manage to persuade the old schemer to retire (at the cost of a purse, of course!)

Bartolo sits down to be shaved, but despite Figaro's best efforts to distract him from Rosina's music lesson, his efforts are in vain – Bartolo realises the deception and angrily expels the barber and the lying teacher.

A small interlude – the song of Berta the housekeeper, she is in love with her master and comforts herself, with a glass of wine in her hand.

Don Basilio appears again. Bartolo has decided to delay no longer and to marry Rosina that very night, so he sends Basilio to fetch a notary. He tells Rosina herself that her Lindoro does not love her at all and that he is a secret agent of Count Almaviva. Rosina is outraged and reveals the plan they have hatched to kidnap her at midnight. Frightened, Bartolo runs to call the guards.

A violent storm is brewing. The Count and Figaro enter Bartolo's home, but Rosina unexpectedly refuses to flee with them, accusing the "rogue" Lindoro of being unfaithful. Almaviva then reveals his name to her, they make up, set off to escape, but are confronted at the door by Don Basilio, who is bringing a notary. Figaro is quick-witted and the marriage contract is signed immediately. And when Bartolo returns with the guards, he has nothing to do but console himself with Rosina's dowry, which the rich Almaviva magnanimously leaves him.