Synopsis

Act I.

After arriving in Seville, Count Almaviva brings a band of musicians to serenade his love, Rosina, the ward of Dr. Bartolo, who is kept confined to the house.  Rosina fails to answer his song, so the count pays the players and they leave.  Figaro the town barber enters, boasting of his busy life in the neighborhood.  Although Figaro works for Dr. Bartolo, he agrees to help Almaviva to win Rosina, provided he is suitably rewarded for his trouble.  No sooner has Bartolo left the house to begin preparations for his own marriage to Rosina, whom he wants to marry for her money, than Almaviva begins a second serenade, calling himself ‘Lindoro,’ a poor man who can only offer Rosina his love.  Figaro suggests that Almaviva disguise himself as a drunken soldier in order to gain entrance to Dr. Bartolo’s house.

All alone in the house, Rosina thinks of the voice that has touched her heart, and vows to outwit the Doctor.  Figaro briefly joins her, but both hide when they hear footsteps approaching.  Dr. Bartolo enters with Don Basilio, the music master.  Basilio tells the Doctor that Almaviva is his rival and advises him to slander the nobleman’s reputation.  Figaro overhears the conversation, and warns Rosina that Bartolo plans to marry her the next day.  He also promises to deliver a note she has written to ‘Lindoro.’  Rosina, alone with Bartolo, is first interrogated, and then must listen to him boast of his cleverness.  Berta, the housekeeper, answers the loud knocking at the door and admits Almaviva, in his disguise as a drunken soldier, into the house.  Almaviva claims he seeks lodging for the night.  He argues with Bartolo, and manages to slip Rosina a note.  Bartolo demands to see the note, and Rosina gives him a laundry list.  Figaro comes in and warns them all that the commotion has attracted a crowd.  The police arrive to silence the disturbance and are about to arrest Almaviva, but learn his identity.  Impressed, they slip away without making an arrest, and Rosina, Berta, Bartolo and Basilio are left, confused.  The act ends with the Count anticipating the joy of his love and Figaro anticipating the joy of money.

Act II

Count Almaviva returns to the house the next day, this time disguised as a young music teacher named Don Alonso.  He claims that he was sent as a substitute for the ailing Don Basilio.  Rosina enters and recognizes her suitor. Figaro arrives to give the Doctor his daily shave and manages to steal the key to the balcony window, unlocking it so that Rosina can escape later.  Suddenly, Basilio arrives, angry and not the least bit ill.  However, after Almaviva bribes him, he feigns illness and departs.  Figaro shaves Bartolo and Almaviva and Rosina plan their elopement.  They are overheard by the Doctor, who throws Figaro and Almaviva from the house and locks Rosina in her room.  He then sends for Basilio.  Bartolo vows to dash the young lovers’ plans by marrying Rosina that night and having Figaro and Almaviva arrested as thieves.  Almaviva arrives and explains to Rosina his true identity. Figaro urges the two to hurry, but before they can escape, someone takes away the ladder they had planned to use to climb down the balcony.  Basilio enters with the notary, whom he has summoned to perform the wedding.  The official instead marries Almaviva and Rosina.  Almaviva bribes Basilio to keep him from interfering, and Bartolo rushes in too late and finds Rosina and Almaviva already married.  Almaviva allows Bartolo to keep Rosina’s dowry, and the old man gladly accepts the situation, ensuring a happy ending for all.