Barber of Seville, The

Barber of Seville, The, is a comic opera in two acts by the Italian composer Gioachino Rossini (see Rossini, Gioachino Antonio ). Its Italian title is Il Barbiere di Siviglia. The libretto (text), in Italian, was written by the Italian writer Cesare Sterbini and based on the French play Le Barbier de Seville (1775) by Pierre de Beaumarchais. Rossini’s opera was originally called Almaviva, or the Useless Precaution, but its name was later changed. It was first performed in Rome on Feb. 20, 1816.

The story of The Barber of Seville takes place in Seville, Spain, in the 1700’s. This work is a good example of Italian comic opera, or opera buffa. The libretto has many characters and situations typical of this style. The characters include an old man called Doctor Bartolo who is interested in marrying his young ward, the beautiful and rich Rosina. He jealously watches over her but cannot prevent a dashing young nobleman (Count Almaviva) from meeting and finally marrying her. Other traditional characters include a drunken soldier, who is really the count in disguise, and an irritable housekeeper. Figaro, the resourceful barber in the opera’s title, helps the count win Rosina.

Figaro makes his first appearance in Act I, singing one of the most popular of baritone arias, “Largo al factotum,” in which he boasts how clever he is. Also in Act I, Rosina’s entrance aria, “Una voce poco fa,” offers opportunities for brilliant singing.