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The Barber of Seville
Gioacchino Rossini
May 11th, 12th, 15th, 17th, 18th, 19th - 2002
"The witty antics of opera's most famous barber are highlighted here in a sparkling new production designed by Dipu Gupta. Come and be charmed, delighted and seduced by Rosina and the Count's quest for love." |
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Act I
In a street in front of Bartolo's house, Count Almaviva, under the assumed name of Lindoro, eagerly awaits a nocturnal tryst with Rosina. He unexpectedly encounters his former servant Figaro, who is in Seville in search of employment. In the opening scene, Figaro composes a song and offers his services to Almaviva. Rosina appears at the window with letter in hand and is apprehended by her jealous guardian, Bartolo, who is secretly planning to marry her the next day. Rosina lets the letter drop and, while Bartolo runs down to retrieve it, beckons to Lindoro to pick it up. Figaro, as Bartolo's barber, offers to help lovesick Lindoro get into the house by disguising him as drunken officer. Once inside, Lindoro will be able to talk to his beloved Rosina.
Act II
Figaro enters to announce Lindoro's love for Rosina, who is in the process of writing Lindoro a letter. Figaro is interrupted however by the sounds of Bartolo approaching, and he hides in his room. On his way to Rosina's room, Figaro had administered a sleeping potion to one of Bartolo's servants and a sneezing potion to another. In a trio between Bartolo and the two servants, dominated by slapstick, Bartolo is unable to find out who visited the house in his absence because of the constant yawning and sneezing of the two servants. Bartolo receives a visit from Rosina's music teacher, Don Basilio, who brings news of count Almaviva's incognito presence in Seville. Basilio advises Bartolo to destroy his rival by maligning him. Figaro, who has been witness to all the events, warns Rosina of Bartolo's nuptial intentions. Disguised as a drunken soldier, Almaviva arrives at Bartolo's house. Inside he informs Rosina of his identity and secretly gives her letter, while he gives Bartolo an order that his soldiers are to be given night's lodging. The ensuing trio, involving Rosina, Almaviva and Bartolo, is filled with quick musical exchanges and double entendres as Almaviva, playing the drunken soldier, furtively receives a handkerchief and letter from Rosina. The trick quickly begins to wear off as Bartolo grows increasingly suspicious. The act ends with Rosina praying for some peace of mind from her jealous guardian.
Act III
In his continuing attempt to rescue Rosina from Bartolo's household and to steal few moments alone with her, Almaviva, at Figaro's suggestion, has assumed the disguise of Alonso, a music teacher. In a duet with Bartolo, Almaviva gains access to Rosina's room by saying that he is a pupil of Basilio and has been sent in his place because Basilio is ill and cannot attend Rosina's music lesson. Figaro steals the key to Rosina's window, and Almaviva promises to come for her that evening. Figaro's intrigues are foiled, however, when Basilio unexpectedly appears. For various reasons, everyone tries to convince Basilio that he is sick and should go home to rest. Basilio, totally confused, agrees and leaves, and his "buona sera" ("good night"), is answered in unison by the other four in a humorous musical touch. In order to distract Bartolo, Figaro gives him a shave and obstructs his view of Rosina while Almaviva discusses with her the details of their nocturnal escape. The finale ends in general disarray as everyone comments on Bartolo's anger.
Act IV
The final act opens with Bartolo apprehending Rosina, who is waiting to elope with her lover. Producing the letter as evidence, he tells her that Alonso is an imposter and agent of Count Almaviva. Still unaware of her lover's identity, and thus believing "Lindoro" to be unfaithful to her, the gullible and naive Rosina reveals the plans for the secret rendezvous and decides to marry Bartolo. But shortly thereafter Almaviva, who reaches her room by ascending the ladder, reveals his true identity, and Rosina, stunned, falls into his arms. The last number is an extended chain finale, beginning as love duet for Rosina and Almaviva, growing with Figaro's excited entry announcing that the ladder, their only means of escape, has been removed. Following this, the Notary and Don Basilio join them and Almaviva bribes the Notary to perform hurried marriage ceremony, so that the deed is done by the time Bartolo returns. Two more sections follow, and in the happy ending all the characters convene on stage.
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