by Rossini
[This synopsis, like my others, is very, very brief. The reason is that I find the normal programme note much too long, and needlessly detailed and complicated. What I want is more of an overview. If I’ve read an overview – a sort of synopsis of a synopsis – I find that, particularly with the help of surtitles, there is then absolutely no need for a blow-by-blow description of the plot.]
The Barber of Seville is a prequel to the Marriage of Figaro, although written some 30 years later, by Rossini not Mozart. Both are based on plays by Beaumarchais. The Barber of Seville deals with how Count Almaviva successfully woos and then marries Rosina, the rich and beautiful ward of Dr Bartolo. She thus becomes the Countess in the Marriage of Figaro.
The main characters are the same as in the Marriage of Figaro: the Count, although in the Barber he is mostly in disguise; Figaro, the eponymous barber, who used to be a servant of the Count and is his confidant and co-conspirator; Rosina, not yet the Countess; Dr Bartolo, who is keeping a tight rein on Rosina as he plans to marry her himself; and Don Basilio, Rosina’s corrupt and avaricious music teacher, in league with Bartolo.
The plot mainly concerns the Count’s various and varied attempts to get access into Dr Bartolo’s house and to pursue Rosina. To start with he is disguised as Lindoro, a poor student because he wants Rosina to fall for him not his money and status. He then disguises himself, on Figaro’s advice, as a drunken soldier ordered to be billeted in Bartolo’s house. Later on (in Act 2), he disguises himself as a music tutor, replacing the supposedly ailing Basilio who, when he does appear, is happy to be bribed to leave.
The Count’s intrigues come up against the machinations of Dr Bartolo, assisted by Basilio. Bartolo is suspicious of the Count, even though not knowing that Lindoro is indeed he. The two of them conspire to spread false rumours about the Count.
Things get complicated because of a love-letter written by Rosina to the Count. The Count, perhaps unwisely, gives the letter to Dr Bartolo, when he is inveigling his way into his house as a music tutor – he tries to get Bartolo’s confidence by offering to persuade Rosina that the letter is from one of the Count’s mistresses. This all misfires because Dr Bartolo himself shows the letter to Rosina and tells her the fabricated story. She believes it and is sufficiently enraged to agree to marry Dr Bartolo. However, she is ultimately pacified when the Count arrives and reveals his identity.
The Count and Rosina are married by the notary who has been brought along at the request of Dr Bartolo to marry him to Rosina. Basilio is persuaded, with little difficulty by means of a suitable bribe, to witness the marriage. Dr Bartolo, when he emerges, is consoled by being allowed to keep the dowry.
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