Il barbiere di Siviglia

Act I

Seville. Square before the house of Bartolo. Almaviva serenades Rosina, whom Bartolo desires to marry for her fortune. ("See, the morn appears.") Figaro approaches singing. (Aria: "Make way for the factotum of the city.") Figaro used to be a servant of the Count, and the Count asks him for assistance in meeting Rosina, offering money to Figaro, should he be successful. (Duet: "The shine of gold falls upon me.") Figaro advises the Count to disguise himself as a soldier and by feigning drunkenness gain entrance to the house. For this suggestion he is richly rewarded.Chamber of Dr. Bartolo. (Rosina's cavatina: "I ask my timid heart.") Knowing the Count only under the name of Lindoro, she writes to him, and is leaving the room when Bartolo and Basilio enter. Bartolo suspects the Count, and Basilio advises that he be put out of the way. (Aria: "Calumny is light as air.") When the two have gone Rosina and Figaro enter. The latter asks Rosina for a few words for Lindoro, which she has already written. (Duet: "Is it I that you mean ?") Surprised by Bartolo, she manages to fool him, but he is still suspicious. (Aria: "A doctor you are trying to fool!.") When the stage is empty, Berta tries to pass through the exit, but is met by the Count disguised as an intoxicated soldier. She rushes to Bartolo for protection, being in fear of the drunken man: Bartolo endeavours to remove the supposed soldier, but does not succeed. The Count manages to see Rosina, whispers that he is Lindoro, gives her a letter, and she hands the watching Bartolo the list of the wash.

Act II

Almaviva again appears at the house of the doctor, this time disguised as a tutor, and acting as substitute for the supposedly ailing Basilio, who gives lessons to Rosina. In order that he may not be alone with Rosina, the doctor has himself shaved by Figaro. (Quintet: "What, Basilio! what do I see?") When Basilio suddenly appears he is bribed by a full purse from Figaro, to play the part of an invalid. Finally Bartolo detects the trick, drives everybody out of the room, and rushes to a notary to draw up the marriage contract between himself and Rosina. The stage remains empty, while the music describes a thunder storm, then the Count and Figaro enter through a window. When Basilio arrives with the notary, he is again bribed, and he and Figaro witness the signatures to a marriage contract between the Count and Rosina. The befuddled Bartolo is pacified by being allowed to retain Rosina's dowry.