Setting: Seville, Spain
Act I, Scene 1
Count Almaviva has fallen in love with Rosina. He disguises himself as a lowly student, Lindoro, and arrives at the house that she is confined to with a group of off-duty soldiers to serenade her. When she doesn’t appear, he dismisses the soldiers, and runs into his once servant, Figaro, who explains that Rosina is not Doctor Bartolo’s daughter, but rather his ward. Figaro devises a plan where the Count disguises himself as a drunken soldier with orders to be housed with Bartolo.
Act I, Scene 2
Rosina reflects on the young man who has stolen her heart, and promises that she will marry him. Bartolo tells Don Basilio, Rosina’s music teacher, he is suspicious that the Count is in town and trying to get to Rosina. Basilio suggests spreading malicious rumors about the Count. When Figaro shows up at the house, Rosina inquires about the young man she saw with him earlier. Figaro says he is his cousin, a poor student, and deeply in love with her. Rosina, delighted to hear her feelings are returned, gives Figaro a note to deliver to the presumed Lindoro. The Count shows up in his soldier disguise, only to find out that Bartolo is exempt from housing soldiers. In the confusion, Almaviva slips a note to Rosina, which Bartolo sees. When confronted about the note, she quickly switches it with her laundry list. The noise from the ensuing argument attracts the military police. The Count avoids arrest by revealing his identity to the officer, leaving the household in confusion.
Act II, Scene 1
Count Almaviva returns to the house, this time disguised as Don Alonso, a music teacher. He claims that Basilio is ill and that he has been sent to give Rosina her music lesson. Bartolo is suspicious, and the Count gains his trust by producing the letter that Rosina had given to him earlier, claiming that he received it from a mistress of the Count. Bartolo dozes off during the music lesson, and the two lovers quickly exchange their mutual affection. Figaro shows up to give Bartolo his weekly shave and manages to get the key to Rosina’s balcony. Meanwhile, the Count and Rosina make plans to elope, which are overheard by Bartolo, sending him into a frenzy. Berta, Bartolo’s housekeeper, comments on the crazy household.
Act II, Scene 2
Time passes in a storm. Bartolo shows Rosina her letter, convincing her that Lindoro is in league with Almaviva. He then sends Basilio for a notary so he can marry Rosina that night. Figaro and the Count show up, climbing a ladder to enter through Rosina’s balcony. Rosina confronts Lindoro, who reveals that he and Almaviva are one in the same. Rosina, the Count, and Figaro go to escape the way they came, but the ladder has gone missing. Meanwhile, Basilio shows up with the notary. After being bribed and threatened, Basilio agrees to witness the marriage of Rosina to the Count. Bartolo arrives too late with soldiers. He concedes his defeat, and all celebrate the joining of Almaviva and Rosina.
Act I, Scene 1
Count Almaviva has fallen in love with Rosina. He disguises himself as a lowly student, Lindoro, and arrives at the house that she is confined to with a group of off-duty soldiers to serenade her. When she doesn’t appear, he dismisses the soldiers, and runs into his once servant, Figaro, who explains that Rosina is not Doctor Bartolo’s daughter, but rather his ward. Figaro devises a plan where the Count disguises himself as a drunken soldier with orders to be housed with Bartolo.
Act I, Scene 2
Rosina reflects on the young man who has stolen her heart, and promises that she will marry him. Bartolo tells Don Basilio, Rosina’s music teacher, he is suspicious that the Count is in town and trying to get to Rosina. Basilio suggests spreading malicious rumors about the Count. When Figaro shows up at the house, Rosina inquires about the young man she saw with him earlier. Figaro says he is his cousin, a poor student, and deeply in love with her. Rosina, delighted to hear her feelings are returned, gives Figaro a note to deliver to the presumed Lindoro. The Count shows up in his soldier disguise, only to find out that Bartolo is exempt from housing soldiers. In the confusion, Almaviva slips a note to Rosina, which Bartolo sees. When confronted about the note, she quickly switches it with her laundry list. The noise from the ensuing argument attracts the military police. The Count avoids arrest by revealing his identity to the officer, leaving the household in confusion.
Act II, Scene 1
Count Almaviva returns to the house, this time disguised as Don Alonso, a music teacher. He claims that Basilio is ill and that he has been sent to give Rosina her music lesson. Bartolo is suspicious, and the Count gains his trust by producing the letter that Rosina had given to him earlier, claiming that he received it from a mistress of the Count. Bartolo dozes off during the music lesson, and the two lovers quickly exchange their mutual affection. Figaro shows up to give Bartolo his weekly shave and manages to get the key to Rosina’s balcony. Meanwhile, the Count and Rosina make plans to elope, which are overheard by Bartolo, sending him into a frenzy. Berta, Bartolo’s housekeeper, comments on the crazy household.
Act II, Scene 2
Time passes in a storm. Bartolo shows Rosina her letter, convincing her that Lindoro is in league with Almaviva. He then sends Basilio for a notary so he can marry Rosina that night. Figaro and the Count show up, climbing a ladder to enter through Rosina’s balcony. Rosina confronts Lindoro, who reveals that he and Almaviva are one in the same. Rosina, the Count, and Figaro go to escape the way they came, but the ladder has gone missing. Meanwhile, Basilio shows up with the notary. After being bribed and threatened, Basilio agrees to witness the marriage of Rosina to the Count. Bartolo arrives too late with soldiers. He concedes his defeat, and all celebrate the joining of Almaviva and Rosina.
