The Barber of Seville facts for kids
The Barber of Seville (in Italian: Il barbiere di Siviglia) is a funny opera (a "comic opera" or opera buffa) with two acts. It was written by the famous composer Gioachino Rossini. The story and words (called the libretto) come from a play by Pierre Beaumarchais also named The Barber of Seville. This opera is Rossini’s most famous work, and it has many tunes you might recognize.
The first time The Barber of Seville was performed was on 20 February 1816 in Rome, Italy.
Contents
The Opera's Story
Rossini's opera was not the first one based on Beaumarchais' play. Other composers like Giovanni Paisiello and Nicolas Isouard had written their own versions. Paisiello's opera was popular for a while. But soon, Rossini's version became much more famous, and Paisiello's was mostly forgotten.
Mozart also wrote an opera called Le nozze di Figaro in 1786. It's based on the *second* part of the same play by Beaumarchais.
Rossini was known for writing music very quickly. He composed all the music for The Barber of Seville in less than three weeks! He even used the opening music (called the overture) from an earlier piece he had written.
When the opera first opened on 20 February 1816, it was a big failure. The audience booed and made noise the whole time. There were also some funny accidents on stage, like a cat walking across during the show!
However, the second time it was performed, it was a huge success. People loved it!
Main Characters
| Role | Voice type | First Performance Cast, 20 February 1816 (Conductor: Gioachino Rossini) |
|---|---|---|
| Rosina, Dr. Bartolo's ward | mezzo-soprano | Geltrude Righetti |
| Doctor Bartolo, Rosina's guardian | bass | Bartolomeo Botticelli |
| Count Almaviva, a rich nobleman | tenor | Manuel Garcia |
| Figaro, the Barber of Seville | baritone | Luigi Zamboni |
| Fiorello, the Count's servant | bass | Paolo Biagelli |
| Basilio, Bartolo's friend | bass | Zenobio Vitarelli |
| Berta (Marcellina), Dr. Bartolo's servant | soprano | Elisabetta Loiselet |
| Ambrogio, Dr. Bartolo's servant | silent | |
| A notary | silent |
The Story of the Opera
Act 1: Outside Dr. Bartolo's House
The story happens in the city of Seville in Spain, around the 17th century.
In a town square outside Dr. Bartolo's house, a group of musicians are playing music for Rosina. Among them is Lindoro, who pretends to be a poor student. But he is actually Count Almaviva in disguise. He hopes Rosina will fall in love with him. He pays the musicians, and they leave.
Then, Figaro arrives. He used to be Almaviva’s servant. Figaro sings a very famous song called Largo al factotum. Almaviva asks Figaro to help him meet Rosina. He offers Figaro money if he can make it happen. Figaro suggests that Almaviva disguise himself as a soldier to get into the house.
Inside Dr. Bartolo’s house, Rosina sings a song called Una voce poco fa (A voice just now). Rosina writes a letter to the Count, calling him Lindoro, because she thinks that is his name. As she leaves the room, Bartolo and Basilio come in. Bartolo is suspicious of the Count. Basilio suggests they spread bad rumors about the Count to get rid of him.
After they leave, Rosina and Figaro enter. Figaro asks Rosina to write a quick note to Lindoro. She surprises him by saying she has already done it! Bartolo catches her, but she cleverly tricks him.
Berta, Dr. Bartolo’s servant, tries to leave the house. She meets the Count, who is now disguised as a drunken soldier. Bartolo cannot make the Count leave. The Count manages to quickly whisper to Rosina. He tells her his name is Lindoro and gives her a letter. Bartolo is watching and is suspicious. He wants to know what the letter says. But Rosina tricks him again by giving him a list of things to be washed instead. Bartolo and the Count start arguing loudly. Basilio, Figaro, and Berta appear. The noise is so loud that an Officer and his men come to see what is happening. Bartolo thinks the Count will be arrested. But Almaviva tells the officer his real name, and he is immediately set free. Bartolo and Basilio are confused. Rosina laughs at them.
Act 2: Inside Dr. Bartolo's House
Almaviva comes to the doctor’s house again. This time, he is disguised as a music teacher. He pretends that Basilio is sick and that he has come to teach instead. At first, Bartolo is suspicious. But he lets Almaviva in when Almaviva shows him Rosina’s letter. Almaviva gives Rosina a singing lesson. Bartolo thinks Lindoro is one of the Count’s servants, trying to find girls for the Count. Bartolo does not want to leave them alone. So, he gets Figaro (who is a barber) to shave him.
When Basilio suddenly appears, Almaviva bribes him with money. Basilio pretends to be very sick and leaves. Bartolo finally realizes it’s all a trick. He sends everyone out of the room. He goes to a notary to arrange a marriage contract between himself and Rosina. He shows Rosina the letter she wrote to "Lindoro." He makes her believe that Lindoro is just a servant and a sneaky friend of Almaviva.
The stage is empty while music plays, sounding like a thunderstorm. The Count and Figaro climb up a ladder to the balcony. They enter the room through a window. Rosina shows Almaviva the letter and says she is very sad. Almaviva then tells her who he really is. Rosina is now very happy and loves him. Figaro tells them they should leave quickly. Basilio and the notary arrive at the front door. They try to leave by the ladder, but it is gone! Basilio is given a choice: either take a bribe and be a witness to the marriage, or he can be shot. He decides, along with Figaro, to witness the signing of the marriage contract between the Count and Rosina. Bartolo rushes in, but it is too late. The Count makes Bartolo happy by telling him he can keep Rosina's dowry (money or property given by the bride's family).
See also
In Spanish: El barbero de Sevilla (Rossini) para niños
