Synopsis

The young Spanish grandee, Count Almaviva, has seen Rosina, the pretty ward of Doctor Bartolo, in Madrid and fallen in love with her. He has followed her to Seville, where he pretends to be a poor student called Lindoro.

Act I

It is shortly before dawn. The Count with his servant Fiorello, has hired some musicians to serenade Rosina. There is no answer, even though the musicians threaten to wake the neighbourhood. Enter Figaro, the factotum of the town, bubbling over with his own ability and usefulness. The Count recognises him as his former valet and quickly confides his intentions before being interrupted by a noise from Bartolo's house. They overhear Bartolo plotting to marry his ward that very day. Figaro makes the Count sing a little song announcing his false name and station, but Rosina's reply is abruptly cut off. Figaro's ingenuity is now put to the test, lubricated by the offer of a handsome reward. Almaviva shall dress up as a soldier and billet himself on Bartolo; and he shall pretend to be drunk, so as to allay any suspicion of amorous advances. Figaro, after giving his address, leaves the Count thoroughly satisfied with his plan.

Lindoro's voice has captured Rosina's heart. She is determined that he shall be hers, and warns that her docile obedience will give way to devilish tricks if she meets any opposition. Figaro comes in to sound out the ground, having drugged the servants.

Bartolo confides his suspicions and plans to his friend, Rosina's music master Basilio, who prescribes his own remedy for dealing with Almaviva: slander. When they leave, Figaro is able to give Rosina a few more details about Lindoro. perhaps she might encourage him with a letter? She has already written it. Delighted with her cunning, Figaro bears off his prize. But Bartolo is not so easily fooled: why is there ink on her finger and were there not six sheets of paper?

A loud knocking at the door announces the arrival of a drunken soldier demanding lodgings. In vain Bartolo protests that he is exempt from such duties. In the confusion the disguised Count tries to slip Rosina a letter. Basilio and Bartolo's servant Berta, then Figaro, all try to prevent violence. Finally the law arrives. But the arrest of the drunken intruder is prevented when Almaviva surreptitiously reveals his rank. Bartolo is dumbfounded, and the whole company agrees that the commotion has been enough to send a man mad.

INTERVAL

Act II

Bartolo tries to unravel the events of the morning. He is interrupted by one Don Alonso, pupil of Basilio (Almaviva in disguise again). Basilio being ill, he has come to give Rosina her music lesson. He establishes his credentials by spreading a little slander about Count Almaviva, and by giving Bartolo Rosina's letter. For her lesson Rosina decides to sing an aria from her favourite opera, Love Laughs at Locksmiths. Bartolo dislikes this modern music and demonstrates an older style.

Figaro arrives to shave Bartolo, and takes the opportunity to steal Bartolo's keys. Then Basilio himself enters, apparently in perfect health. He is persuaded with difficulty that he has a fever and that he should go off to bed at once. At last Bartolo can be shaved, but even Figaro's ministrations cannot prevent him overhearing the lovers plotting their elopement. He chases them out in fury. Bartolo's old maidservant Berta is left to wonder at the irrational power of love.

Bartolo and Basilio conclude that Alonso was none other than the Count. There is no time to lose: Basilio must fetch a notary at once. When Bartolo shows Rosina the letter she had written to Lindoro, who must have passed it to Count Almaviva, she is overwhelmed by her betrayal. She agrees to marry Bartolo, and reveals that the planned abduction is to take place at midnight.

There is a thunderstorm, after which Figaro and Alaviva enter the house by the balcony window. Rosina wants them to leave, until Lindoro and Almaviva are proved to be the same person. The lovers are so happy that Figaro has the greatest difficulty in persuading them to escape quietly. But the ladder has gone from the balcony. All seems lost when Basilio arrives with the notary. But ingenuity triumphs, and the notary is quickly pressed into service, with Basilio as a well-paid witness. Bartolo returns too late, but he soon accepts the marriage when he hears he won't have to give a dowry.