The Dallas Opera 2021-2022 - The Barber of Seville/The Pearl Fishers

6 SYNOPSIS ACT ONE Scene 1. At dawn, under the balcony of Dr. Bartolo’s house, hired musicians accompany Count Almaviva in an ardent serenade that he hopes will be heard by Bartolo’s ward, Rosina. Afterwards, the musicians make an obsequious nuisance of themselves, but Almaviva’s servant Fiorello pays them well and sends them away. Figaro, the barber, passes through, reveling in an occupation that has him wanted every minute of the day by everyone for every kind of task. Almaviva approaches the barber, revealing his love for Rosina, and is thrilled to learn that Figaro is a regular visitor in the household. Almaviva launches into a second serenade, identifying himself as poor lovelorn “Lindoro.” Rosina responds sweetly from her window, but Almaviva is distressed when her singing is suddenly cut short. Almaviva is now determined to see Rosina, who’s kept under lock and key by Bartolo. Figaro hatches a scheme to get Almaviva into the house. Scene 2. Rosina proclaims that “Lindoro” will be hers. When her music teacher, Don Basilio, pays a call on Bartolo, the doctor informs him that he intends to marry Rosina in the next 24 hours. Basilio lets Bartolo know that Count Almaviva has arrived in Seville, and Bartolo immediately suspects he may be Rosina’s secret admirer. Basilio suggests that Bartolo use slander to damage Almaviva’s reputation and force him to leave town. When Basilio confesses that he has no idea how slander works, Basilio describes it as resembling a gentle breeze that can expand into an explosion. Rosina asks Figaro about the young man she heard singing outside her window. Figaro reveals that this is a young cousin of his who’s madly in love with a young girl named… Rosina! When Figaro requests a note from her so that “Lindoro” will know her true feelings, Rosina produces one she’s already written. Bartolo appears, and when Rosina’s nervous responses to him arouse his suspicions, he rails at her relentlessly for attempting to deceive him. The Barber of Seville TIME: Early 19th century PLACE: Seville, Spain PHOTO: CORY WEAVER/SAN FRANCISCO OPERA THE DALLAS OPERA | 2021/2022 SEASON