The comedy of M. Beaumarchais entitled II barbiere di Siviglia o sia L'inutile precauzione was presented in Rome adapted as a comic drama under the title Almaviva o sia L'inutile precauzione, with the object of fully convincing the public of the feelings of respect and veneration entertained by the composer of the music of the present drama for the famous Paisiello, who has already treated this subject under its original title. Invited to undertake the same difficult task, Maestro Gioachino Rossini, in order not to incur the charge of impudent rivalry with the immortal composer who has preceded him, has expressly requested that II Barbiere di Siviglia should be newly put into verse and that the musical numbers should be differently arranged, in view of the changes in modern dramatic taste that have taken place since the period in which the famous Paisiello wrote his music.

Another difference in the arrangement of the present drama and that of the French comedy arose because of the necessity of introducing into the same story choruses, so much a part of modern practice and indispensable to achieve the required musical effect in a theatre of considerable size. For this reason the understanding of the public is requested for the composer of the new drama, who, without these pressing considerations, would not have dared to introduce the smallest change in the French play already sanctified by the applause of theatre audiences throughout Europe.

The librettist and composer originally planned the musical numbers as follows:

Act I

-Serenade and Cavatina with Choruses and Introduction

-Figaro's Cavatina

-Tenor's Cavatina

-Another (Cavatina) for the Prima Donna

-Duet: (Prima) Donna and Figaro -scene

-Figaro tells her of the Count's love

-Grand Duet for the Count and Figaro

-Aria for Vitarelli (later Don Basilio)

-Aria of the Tutor with Pertichino

-Grand Finale

Act II

-Tenor disguised as a music-master gives a lesson to the (Prima) Donna

-then the aria of the same in the same scene

-Second Donna Aria

-Quartet: Figaro ready to shave the Tutor, while the Count flirts with the

Donna. The Tutor believes himself ill and takes his leave

-Terzetto: Figaro, Donna and Tenor

-Tenor Grand Aria

-Finaletto

Comparing this scheme with the final result, it is easy to understand the changes in the plan of work. It is worth noticing the adjustments brought about to improve the dramatic continuity, the insertion of the storm and of the character of Don Basilio to provide action in the Quartet, without recourse to the instruction "di scena". This characteristic, together with the abundance of ensemble numbers, half the total, is eloquent testimony to the desire of Sterbini and Rossini to bring the greatest possible dynamism to the piece itself. The structural size of such numbers and the turns they give the plot are an even more precise indication of the measure of the changes that had taken place since the time of Paisiello. The Dionysiac possibilities of Rossini's music are revealed and were explicitly pointed out in a contemporary commentary on the opera.

In 1830, Carlo Ritorni asked, with reference to the entry of Figaro: "But what is this aria? It is a song by a barber about his own life, sung in the street, on his way home". He went on to point out that Figaro's appearance on the stage is so noisy and in contrast to the preceding simple canzonetta, sung only with the accompaniment of the guitar, that it suggests the arrival, with his band, of the regiment of the Count's friend, the colonel... and when the barber talks again of his shop and what happens there, to the noisy accompaniment of the orchestra, it seems certain that musicians, dancers and others are entering, producing a lively and very considerable disturbance. The music went beyond the simple task of imitating nature and illustrating the text, introducing an element of intoxicated exuberance that overturns reason and overleaps in one bound the limitations imposed by class.

Synopsis

As usual in Italian opera of the period, there is an instrumental introduction or Sinfonia before the curtain rises, customarily without connection with the stage action to follow. In this case Rossini used again a Sinfonia that he had written in 1813 for an opera seria, Aureliano in Palmira, and had already transferred in 1815 to another opera seria, Elisabetta, regina d'lnghilterra. This, according to custom, consists of a short slow introduction, here an Andante sostenuto in E major, followed by the main part of the movement, an Allegro, which starts in E minor but ends in E major. The Andante presents a short tripartite division, frequent in similar Rossini instrumental pieces. A cantabile episode of a clearly delineated rhythmic, melodic and harmonic kind is preceded and followed by a dramatic section. The Allegro follows a plan typical of Rossini:

Exposition

A first subject, here in E minor, is stated twice by the first violins, accompanied only by the strings. A tutti for full orchestra leads to D major, the dominant of the relative major of E minor, G major, and a second subject, in G major, is entrusted principally to the wind, introduced by the oboe and completed by the flute and repeated at once by horn and flute.

Development

A crescendo in G major, in which the full orchestra gradually joins, returns, in a brief linking passage, to E minor.

Recapitulation

The first subject is repeated, with the second subject in E major played by clarinet and flute and then by bassoon and flute. A crescendo in E major, in which the whole orchestra gradually joins, is followed by an E major conclusion for the full orchestra.

Act 1

The curtain rises on a square in Seville. The house of Don Bartolo faces onto the square. Day is breaking.

No.1 Introduction

Fiorello, servant of Count Almaviva, brings in a group of musicians, imploring them to be quiet ("Piano pianissimo"). He is immediately joined by the Count, who assures himself that all is in place. He has arranged a serenade for the beautiful girl that he had met before at the Prado in Madrid. Falling in love at first sight, he has followed her to Seville and there has courted her without success. Because the girl lives in the house of Don Bartolo, he thinks she is his daughter. Accompanied by the musicians he has hired, the Count sings a song (the Cavatina "Ecco ridente in cielo"). The girl, however, gives no sign of life. Disappointed, the Count prepares to dismiss the musicians, telling Fiorello to pay them ("Ehi, Fiorello? Mio signore"). Their noisy gratitude annoys the Count, who is afraid that they will wake the whole neighborhood ("Mille grazie, mio signore").

Recitative

Once these noisy musicians have gone ("Gente indiscreta"), the Count sends Fiorello away but stays in the square, hoping to see the girl when she comes out onto the balcony and to be able to speak to her. Someone is heard approaching, heralded by his singing, audible from a distance.

No.2 Cavatina

It is the barber-surgeon Figaro on the way to his shop, singing a song in celebration of himself and his thousands of activities ("La ran la lera").

Recitative

While Figaro continues to sing his own praises ("Ah, ah! che bella vita"), the Count draws near, believing that he recognizes him. Figaro too recognizes the Count and bows in deference, but the latter stops him, since he is in Seville incognito. He then tells Figaro the reason for his presence there: Figaro can give him information, since he has access to the house, being of service to Don Bartolo in a number of ways. Figaro tells him that the girl is not the daughter of Don Bartolo, but only his ward.

While the two of them are talking, the girl, Rosina, appears on the balcony of Don Bartolo's house, looking to see if her lover is there as usual: she wants to send him a love-letter. The Count appears, but at the same time the voice of the crusty old Don Bartolo is heard within, asking the reason for the note that Rosina is holding. Rosina invents an excuse, saying that it is the words of a fashionable aria, from the opera Vain Precaution (Inutil Precauzione), and she lets it fall, pretending to do so by accident. While Don Bartolo rushes into the street to find and recover it, Rosina signals to the Count to take it. Furious, Don Bartolo tells her to go back into the house, threatening to treat her with even greater severity.

The Count pities her enforced seclusion ("Povera disgraziata!"), but Figaro urges him to read the note. Rosina asks him to reveal his identity and intentions, as soon as her tyrannical guardian leaves the house, and declares that she is disposed to free herself from her present situation. Figaro tells the Count that Don Bartolo is an old miser and grumbler who have it in mind to marry Rosina in order to take her money. While the two of them are talking, Don Bartolo comes out of the house with the intention of arranging the marriage that evening. Figaro exhorts the Count to take advantage of the situation to declare himself to Rosina.

No.3 Canzone

The Count complies in a simple canzonetta ("Se ii mio nome saper voi bramate"), in which he says he is called Lindoro and is not rich but in love: he does not actually want Rosina to love him for his titles and riches. Rosina prepares to reply, when she is obliged to break off and withdraw from the window.

Recitative

At this point, the Count is bursting with impatience ("Oh cielo!") and asks Figaro to help him, promising him in return a handsome reward.

No.4 Duetto

At the thought of a reward, Figaro begins to devise a stratagem to bring the two lovers together ("All'idea di quel metallo"). First he suggests that the Count pretend that he is an officer of a regiment about to arrive in the city and that he is to be billeted on Don Bartolo. If he then pretends to be drunk, he is less likely to awaken the suspicions of the old man. Before going, Figaro tells the Count the address of his shop ("Numero quindici, a mano manca').

Recitative

The scene ends with Fiorello complaining of his lot, standing waiting now for two hours for his master ("Ev-viva il mio Padrone!").

The scene is inside the house of Don Bartolo.

No.5 Cavatina

In her room, Rosina is writing a letter to Lindoro and gives vocal expression to her thoughts of love, at the same time revealing herself as a girl of some spirit ("Una voce poco fa - lo sono docile, son rispettosa").

Recitative

Rosina does not know to whom she can give her letter for Lindoro ("Si, si, la vincerb"). Figaro joins her ("Oh buon dl, signorina!") and tells her that he can help her, but Don Bartolo arrives and Figaro has to hide. Her guardian inveighs against Figaro ("Ah, disgraziato Figaro!"), who has upset all the servants through his prescribed cures, giving Berta sneezing powder and Ambrogio a soporific. Soon Don Basilio, Rosina's music-master, arrives, interrupting Don Bartolo ("Ah! Barbiere d'inferno..."), and tells him that Count Almaviva has come to Seville. Don Bartolo knows of his love for Rosina and means to speed up his own marriage. Don Basilio helps him by spreading false stories about the Count.

No.6 Aria

Don Basilio expounds the terrible and destructive power of slander ("La calunnia e un venticello").

Recitative

The two men withdraw to discuss matters ("Ah! che ne dite?") and prepare the marriage contract, [ DJ but Figaro, in hiding, has heard everything ("Ma bravi! ma benone!") and immediately tells Rosina. Pretending to be his cousin, he tells her of Lindoro and his love for her.

No.7 Duetto

Rosina feigns ingenuous surprise, but in fact she had understood everything very well and had already written herself the note that Figaro seeks ("Dunque io son... tu non m'inganni"). The latter realises that he has nothing to teach her.

Recitative

Figaro leaves with the message for Lindoro and Don Bartolo returns to question Rosina. He suspects that the real purpose of his visit was to send messages to the two young men and he seeks to prove definitely that Rosina has just written a note.

No.8 Aria

Don Bartolo tells Rosina he is no fool and that if she does not own up he will see she is kept locked in ("A un dottor della mia sorte - Signorina, un'altra volta").

Recitative

Rosina, however, is not intimidated ("Brontola quanto vuoi"), leaving her maid Berta to complain that she never has a moment's peace ("Finora in questa camera"). There is the sound of knocking at the door.

No.9 Finale I

The Count, dressed as an officer and pretending to be drunk, demands the lodging allotted to him (Quintetto: "Ehi di casa, buona gente"). Don Bartolo confronts him, trying to refuse him. In the midst of this Rosina comes in and at once recognizes Lindoro, while he, profiting from the confusion, tries to pass her a note. Partly through his increasingly heated argument with the Count and his growing suspicions of his maladroit attempts to pass a message to Rosina, Don Bartolo is at the end of his tether. Rosina saves the situation by hiding the note and substituting a harmless laundry-list. Don Bartolo is in consternation at the mistake he believes to have been made and Rosina stresses her complaints against his continuing suspicions.

Figaro arrives declaring that such a clamor has brought half the inhabitants of the city into the square outside ("Alto la! Che cosa accadde"). Don Bartolo and the Count continue to quarrel, while Figaro, in an aside, urges the latter to prudence. At this point the police appear at the door ("Fermi tutti, niun si muova"). Those present surround the police officer, giving him their own version of events. They are convinced of the guilt of the intruder and are about to arrest him, but the Count privately reveals his true identity and instead of being taken to prison is treated with respect. Don Bartolo is frightened (Largo: "Freddo ed immobile") and does not know what to do or think ("Ma signor"). There is general confusion ("Mi par d'esser con la testa").

The scene is a room in the house of Don Bartolo.

Recitative

Don Bartolo is wondering about the intrusion that has just taken place ("Ma vedi il mio destino!"), suspecting that the mysterious officer might be an emissary of Count Almaviva. There is a noise at the door.

No.10 Duetto

It is the Count again, this time disguised as a music-master, bowing low in unctuous greeting ("Pace e gioia sia con voi").

Recitative

The Count says that he is Don Alonso and is taking the place of Don Basilio, who is ill and he is to replace him for Rosina's lesson. He has incidentally intercepted a note from Count Almaviva to Rosina and wants to give it personally to Don Bartolo to ingratiate himself with him. [ ! ] Don Bartolo goes to call Rosina for her lesson ("Venite, signorina").

No.11 Aria

The girl, who has immediately recognized Lindoro, knows how to profit from the situation. While singing a rondo ("Contro un cor che accende amore - Cara immagine ridente"), she takes the opportunity of communicating, sot to voce, her real feelings ("Ah Lindoro, mio tesoro").

Recitative

The Count praises Rosina's voice ("Bella voce! Bravissima!"), but Don Bartolo is irritated by these modern arias and demands something simple from his own generation.

No.12 Arietta

As an example, he sings an older song ("Quando mi sei vicina").

Recitative

Figaro comes in, imitating Don Bartolo, to the latter's annoyance ("Bravo, signor barbiere"). Don Bartolo says that he does not want to be shaved, but Figaro insists. When he gives him the keys to fetch the necessary towels, Figaro takes the key of the door that gives onto Rosina's balcony.

No. 13 Quintetto

Don Basilio unexpectedly appears, to general surprise and embarrassment ("Don Basilio! Cosa veggo?"). With a little luck and the help of money given him secretly by the Count, Don Basilio finally takes his leave ("Buona sera, mio signore") and Figaro can start shaving Don Bartolo ("Orsu, signor Don Bartolo"). While they are occupied ("Stringi, bravissimo"), Lindoro communicates to Rosina his intention of coming at night to take her away. Don Bartolo, however, overhears and inveighs against them all ("Bricconi, birbanti").

Recitative

Left alone, Don Bartolo reflects on all this performance ("Ah! disgraziato me!") and sends for Don Basilio. The old servant Berta complains about the situation in the house.

No. 14 Aria

He who wants a wife, she who wants a husband, all of them are mad ("II vecchiotto cerca moglie"). Herself, Berta would not be insensible to love, but no-one wants her any more.

Recitative

On the arrival of Don Basilio, everything is made clear ("Dunque voi Don Alonso"). Not only was Don Alonso an impostor, but he must have been the Count in person. Don Bartolo decides to send immediately for the notary for the marriage contract. At this point Don Bartolo has an idea. ("Per forza o per amore") Profiting from the fact that Rosina does not know that Lindoro is in reality Count Almaviva, he makes her believe that Figaro is doing Count Almaviva's dirty work. Rosina is indignant and reveals to Don Bartolo their whole plan of flight. The police are summoned to arrest Figaro and the Count as thieves.

No. 15 Storm

Recitative

While the storm rages, thanks to the key he has taken, Figaro and the Count enter Don Bartolo's house by means of a ladder up to Rosina's balcony ("Alfine, eccoci qua"). Rosina receives them with abuse, and at this point the Count reveals his true identity.

No. 16 Terzetto

Rosina is amazed ("Ah qual colpo inaspettato"), the Count is ecstatic and Figaro delighted at his success, but urges the two lovers to leave. Suddenly he realises that someone is about to come into the room and tells them to make their escape by the same ladder by which the two of them had made their entry ("Zit ti zitti, piano piano").

Recitative

The three of them quickly realise, however, that the ladder has gone ("Ah, disgraziati noi! come si fa?"). Don Basilio and the notary come in and Figaro and the Count force the latter to draw up a marriage contract between the Count and Rosina, and the former to act as witness. When Don Bartolo arrives with the police, everything has already been settled.

No.17 Scena and Aria

To general amazement at what has happened and at the presence of the Count ("II Conte! ah, che mai sento!"), Almaviva invites Don Bartolo to accept the situation, Rosina finally to be happy and everyone to respect their union ("Cessa di pill resistere - E tu infelice vittima - Ah il pill lieto, il pill felice").

Recitative

Disappointed, Don Bartolo regrets what has happened but then resigns himself to forgive them ("Insomma io ho tutti i torti!").

No.18 Finaletto II

At the invitation of Figaro, all join in general rejoicing ("Di si felice innesto").

 

Writer: Professor Paolo Fabbri
Translated by: Keith Anderson