From: Ann.Feeney@bbs.oit.unc.edu (Ann Feeney)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.theatre
Subject: Re: Barber of Seville
Date: 25 Aug 92 20:05:04 GMT
Distribution: rec
Organization: Extended Bulletin Board Service

In article <SIMONS.92Aug25132750@tuntu.think.com> simons@tuntu.think.com (Joshua Simons) writes:
>
>I have a friend who is going to see the Barber of Seville in NYC this
>weekend.  She is looking for a plot summary and/or libretto, preferably
>something on-line.
>
>Please post or send any info that you might have...and thanks very much!
>
>
>-josh simons
>
>--
>simons@think.com
>thinking machines corporation
>245 first street					tel: 617.234.2844
>cambridge, ma  02142-1214				fax: 617.234.4444


Hi.
I assume that this is the Rossini, which is the best known one.

The opera is set in about 18th century Spain, in (you guessed it) Seville.

Dr. Bartolo, the bass, is the guardian of Rosina, a beautiful young woman.
 Count Almaviva (the tenor, Rosina is a sporano) has met and fallen in
love with her.  However, the doctor wants Rosina for himself, for her
dowry as well as for her personal charms.

The opera opens with Almaviva serenading Rosina.  Aria, Ecco ridente in cielo.
They leave, and Figaro, the epynonmious Braber, appears, singing probably
the best known aria Largo al factotum, in which he boasts of how useful
and wonderful he is, the factotum of the entire city.
He and Almaviva meet, and Almaviva bribes him to help in his love quest. 
Duet, Al idea di qual metalo.
Rosina has recieved a note from Almaviva, which is signed Lindoro.  (he
has called himself that, saying that he is poor, so that she will love him
for himself, not his rank and wealth.)  She wears that he will be hers,
and that while she is a very nice person, anyone getting in her way here
will be in trouble.  Aria, Io son docile.
Fgaro and she meet, and he reveals that Lindoro wants to marry her as soon
as possible.
Figaor leaves, and the suspicious Bartolo enters.  Bartolo is accompanied
by Don Basilio, who suggest a gossip campaign against this Count Almaviva,
who seems to be smitten with Rosina.  Aria, La callumnia.
Bartolo sends Rosina to her room, and blocks off her balcony.
Almvaviva enters, disguised as a soldier, demanding to be billteed in the
house.  Bartolo tries to have him thrown out, but when the police come,
Almaviva quietly revelas his identity to them, and they let him go. 
Meanwhile, he Figaro, and Rosina have worked out an elopement for that night.

Act Two

Basilio has discovered the couple's plans, and tells Rosina that Lindoro
is workign to procure her for Almaviva's pleasure.  Rosina decides to
avenge herself by marrying Bartolo.  Figaro and Almaviva enter, and
finally persudae Rosina that Lindoror and Almaviva are one and the same,
and that his intentions are honorable.  The notrary that Bartolo had
calledto marry himself and Rosina is persudaed to marry Rosina nad
Almaviva, and everyone is happy, when Batrolo is mollified by being
aloowed to keep Rosina's dowry.

This is a wquick and dirty summary, but you get the idea.
Ann
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