Synopsis and Glossary for

ACT I: A Street in Seville, Spain to provide soldiers shelter should they ask for it.) Rosina enters the room and recognizing “Lindoro” in disguise, she Figaro the barber enters, boasting of his many talents. He attempts to escape with him. Bartolo angrily protests the is interrupted by the arrival of Count Almaviva who has presence of the soldier in his house and insists that he is come all the way to Seville to meet a girl named Rosina exempt from the law. Chaos ensues, and Figaro arrives (with whom he fell in love instantly after briefly seeing her in an attempt to save the day. The noise coming from Dr. in Madrid). Figaro informs him that it will be a difficult task Bartolo’s house can be heard all over Seville and the police since Rosina is held captive by her guardian Dr. Bartolo. arrive. Dr. Bartolo demands that the soldier be arrested. Count Almaviva enlists the help of the witty barber to get When Count Almaviva secretly reveals his true name to the into Dr. Bartolo’s house. arresting officer, he is immediately released. All are dumb- founded. Rosina suddenly appears on the balcony with the old and grumpy Doctor and from afar, recognizes the man from Madrid. The Count attempts to pass a love letter to her but ACT II: The home of Dr. Bartolo drops it in the process. To distract Dr. Bartolo she asks that he go and get the letter. Rosina is whisked away from the Count Almaviva appears once again, now in the disguise balcony by Berta, Dr. Bartolo’s house keeper. Fortunately, of a music teacher, named Don Alonso. During the singing Figaro and the Count quickly find the letter before Dr. lesson the Count and Rosina succeed in exchanging words Bartolo comes downstairs to grab it. Dr. Bartolo decides of endearment. Figaro enters and tries to distract Bartolo to abandon the search and go find the notary (lawyer) to by offering him a haircut. Unsuccessful, Figaro, the Count marry him and Rosina that very day. and Rosina try to convince the Doctor that he is sick and should go to bed. When Dr. Bartolo finally agrees to leave, Pretending to be a poor man, and assuming the Rosina and the Count plan their final escape. Yet again, Dr. pseudonym “Lindoro”, Almaviva sings a melody, in which Bartolo reappears and squashes their plans. The Count, he tells Rosina that he has no wealth and can offer her takes off his disguise as the music teacher and professes only love. The Count, who is actually quite wealthy, offers his love to Rosina in front of the Doctor. (But remember, Figaro a generous reward if the barber were to arrange Rosina still thinks that the Count is a poor boy named for him a meeting with Rosina. Figaro confidently agrees, “Lindoro”.) Bartolo refuses to allow the marriage to happen and describes a plan to Count Almaviva: the Count must as he has his sights set on Rosina’s large dowry. The disguise himself as a soldier in order to gain entry to the Count reveals his true identity of being a wealthy nobleman home of Dr. Bartolo, Rosina’s guardian. and offers Dr. Bartolo money. Feeling that Rosina has truly fallen in love with him and not for his fortune, the Count Later, at Dr. Bartolo’s house, Rosina writes a love letter asks for Rosina’s hand in marriage. Dr. Bartolo offers his to “Lindoro”. Figaro enters and informs Rosina that he blessing. Figaro is proud of his successful scheming. And has overheard the elderly Bartolo’s plans to marry her. they all live happily after… Figaro tells Rosina that “Lindoro” is in love with her and that he will arrange a meeting between the pair. When Or do they? Figaro leaves, Bartolo re-enters and accuses Rosina of trying to deceive him. When Bartolo finishes his lecture, Please note that this performance is an adapted Berta announces the arrival of Count Almaviva who is version of the complete opera. cleverly disguised as an intoxicated soldier in need of room and board. (Citizens of Seville are required by law THE BARBER OF SEVILLE GLOSSARY Terms related to* or sung in the opera! Barbers in the 13th to 18th centuries had to do more than just Astonishment ���������amazement or surprise cut hair – they were the “jack-of-all- Beck and call �����������to be responsive to someone’s every trades” of their day: they delivered request messages, extracted teeth, and Billet ���������������������������an official order from the military, performed blood-letting surgeries. written or verbal, directing the person Learn about the history of barbering to whom it is addressed to provide through the ages here. such lodging for a soldier Disparage �����������������to speak of someone in a disrespectful way; belittle Dowry �������������������������money or property brought by a bride to her husband at marriage Elopement ����������������to suddenly and secretly run away to get married Factotum �������������������a person who is employed to do all different types of work Brush up on your Italian! The Barber of Seville was Gesture* ��������������������a motion of the limbs or body made to originally written in Italian. We pay homage to its original express or help express thought or to form and use some Italian words in this production. emphasize speech Intoxicated ���������������to have too much alcohol Listen for: Maestro ���������������������a great composer or master of music; a title of respect for the conductor Aiuto ���������������������������help Notary �������������������������an official witness when there is a Bravo ��������������������������an Italian word, expression of legal document to be signed congratulations, approval Opera buffa* ������������Italian for comedic opera Buona sera ���������������good night Patrician ��������������������a person of high or noble rank Caramba ��������������������used as an explanation of Serenade ������������������a love song astonishment, amazement or surprise Station (in life) �������rank or position of a person (the word is actually Spanish and not Surly ����������������������������arrogant or rude Italian, but works in the story since it’s Ward ���������������������������a person who has been legally placed set in Seville, Spain!) under the care of a guardian Per carità! �����������������for pity’s sake! Sí ����������������������������������yes Signore ����������������������Mister Signorina ������������������Miss

The opera, The Barber of Seville, was adapted by a play written by Pierre-Augustin Caron Beaumarchais. The two subsequent plays, Le Marriage de Figaro (, which was also famously adapted into an opera by Mozart), and La Mère coupable (The Guilty Mother) continue to develop the characters of Figaro, the Count, Rosina, Dr. Bartolo and Berta.

The 2009/10 Barber of Seville Study The Xstrata Ensemble Guide is produced by the COC’s EXPLORE & LEARN Studio School Tour is Education and Outreach Department. coc.ca 416-306-2392 booked through