The Barber of Seville (2024)

The wealthy Count Almaviva has fallen in love with Rosina. He serenades her window, but pretends to be a poor student named Lindoro so that she won’t fall in love with him for his money. The only problem is that Rosina is closely monitored by her guardian, the old physician Bartolo. So Almaviva enlists the help of the barber Figaro, who often visits Bartolo’s house. Figaro advises Almaviva to disguise himself so he can infiltrate the household.

Meanwhile, Rosina has heard Lindoro’s love songs and wants to send him a letter. Bartolo tells Don Basilio, Rosina’s music teacher, that he plans to marry Rosina so he can take possession of her dowry. Don Basilio informs Bartolo that Count Almaviva is Rosina’s unknown lover, and vows to spread bad rumors about the Count to have him thrown out of the town. Figaro, overhearing this, tells Rosina of Bartolo’s plan to marry her. Rosina scoffs at the idea and gives Figaro her note to carry to Lindoro. Bartolo realizes that Rosina has been corresponding with someone and when she refuses to confess, he locks her in her chamber.

Count Almaviva arrives at the house, disguised as a drunken soldier with phony orders to be billeted in Bartolo’s home. Bartolo protests that he is exempt from housing soldiers, but the Count refuses to leave and drops a note for Rosina on the ground, which she exchanges for a laundry list. The Count and Bartolo get into a scuffle, and the police arrive. The Count evades arrest by quietly revealing his true identity to the officer in charge. The police withdraw, leaving everyone else in a state of utter confusion.

The Count returns to Bartolo’s house, this time disguised as a music teacher by the name of Don Alonso. He claims he is there to give Rosina a lesson because Basilio is ill and shows Bartolo a note from Rosina to Lindoro, claiming that Lindoro is actually working for Count Almaviva. To gain Bartolo’s trust, the Count says he will tell Rosina one of Almaviva’s mistresses gave it to him so that Rosina will believe that the Count is just toying with her.

Almaviva and Rosina are overjoyed to spend some time together during their “lesson,” but Bartolo refuses to leave the room. Luckily, Figaro arrives for Bartolo’s regular shave. He distracts Bartolo so the lovers can enjoy some whispered moments of flirtation. But when Basilio shows up, not ill in the slightest, Almaviva and Figaro have to think quickly to avoid detection. The Count promises Rosina that he will meet her at midnight, unaware that Bartolo is listening.

To thwart the Count’s scheme, Bartolo shows Rosina the letter she gave to Lindoro. He convinces her that Lindoro and Almaviva have just been playing with her affections. Brokenhearted and furious, Rosina agrees to marry Bartolo.

Later that evening, the Count and Figaro climb a ladder to Rosina’s window. She confronts Lindoro about his supposed betrayal, but when the Count finally reveals his true name, Rosina is overjoyed and the lovers reconcile. They hear footsteps approaching but cannot escape because Bartolo has taken the ladder. A notary shows up, along with Basilio, and Almaviva cajoles and extorts the notary into immediately marrying him and Rosina. Bartolo barges in with the police, but they are too late — love has won the day.