Stanislavsky Theatre
Performed in Italian Premiere of this production: 11 Feb 2010 The performance has 1 intermission Running time: 3 hours 5 minutes The Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko Music Theatre, located just 750 metres from the Bolshoi Theatre, proudly presents Rossini’s The Barber of Seville — a sparkling masterpiece of wit, rhythm, and theatrical brilliance, performed by acclaimed soloists who have graced the stage of the Bolshoi and trained at Russia’s most prestigious academies. The setting of The Barber of Seville… Well, that’s not really the point — when and where it happens hardly matters. In Beaumarchais’s stage directions, the characters wear “old Spanish costumes,” while Rossini places the story in the 18th century — which, for Beaumarchais, was not “old” at all, but his own time. In one of the famous productions at the Paris Opera, the story conceived by Beaumarchais and Rossini was set among Turks or perhaps Moors — yet the situations and the characters remained the same. Here we find the clever, adventure-loving commoner Figaro; the Count (and, let’s admit, there are still counts in many countries today); the elderly Dr. Bartolo; and his young ward Rosina. The essence lies not in the costumes or era, but in these timeless human types and the lively entanglements that surround them. Gioachino Rossini, who defined his work as an opera buffa, created a brilliant composition full of energy, vivid emotions, and delightfully “typical” — yet completely believable — situations. His characters, much like Beaumarchais’s originals (and as we know, Beaumarchais modeled Figaro after himself), remain as real and recognizable today as they were two centuries ago. SynopsisAction takes place in present days during the carnival in Venice. Count Almaviva is passionately in love with the charming Rosina, the foster child of the old Doctor Bartolo. To attract her attention, he, accompanied by the musicians, serenades under her balcony, but everything is useless.
Unexpectedly the Count meets his old friend Figaro – the former Count’s valet, phrasemonger, doggerel writer, courageous singer, tireless guitar player, and now the barber. Figaro – is a friend in Bartolo’s house and, inspired by the expected reward, he promises the Count to help him in arranging the acquaintance and marriage with the beauty.
Rosina appears on the balcony in the company of the guardian. In a note she asks the Count to give his name, rank and intentions. In a following serenade Almaviva presents himself as the poor student named Lindoro and prays for the girl’s love. She answers him favourably, but their dialogue is interrupted with the appearance of the infuriated Doctor.
The Count and Figaro decide to deceive Bartolo – the barber finds out that the old man is getting married his ward over the fortune. Figaro offers the Count to come into the house of the guardian in the guise of the drunken soldier that supposedly came for a lodgment and pass the message to Rosina. Both of them are excited of the coming success.
Rosina, whose heart is given to the unknown handsome, writes him a letter, containing the passionate declaration of love. The girl is ready to immediately finish with the guardianship of the boring old man.
Figaro appears, having given medication to all of the Bartolo’s servants, and is trying to tell her about the Count. Their talk is interrupted by Doctor Bartolo, who is angry with Figaro. The barber is hiding. Don Basilio, a famous intriguer, slanderer and Rosina’s music teacher comes to the guardian. He says that the worshipper of the ward appeared in Seville – Count Almaviva – and he advises to slander him prettily, describing all the advantages of slander. However Bartolo refuses – it is better to hasten his wedding with Rosina and hereby to guard her from all the admirers.
Having heard their talk, Figaro tells the girl about it. Rosina, as follows, questions about the Count and his feelings, and gives the barber her letter. Bartolo, full of jealousy, rears up, and tells Rosina his complains and locks her in the room.
Soon the door starts to shake of the strokes. This is Count Almaviva pretending to be a drunken soldier. A terrible flurry begins, where all the people are involved. Even the military patrol comes to this hubbub. Everybody like madmen are trying to explain what has happened, Rosina can’t talk to the Count; their plan comes to grief.
At night Count Almaviva appears in Bartolo’s house again pretending to be Don Alonso. He tells about an unexpected illness of his fictional teacher Don Basilio, insists on a music lesson with Rosina, and also offers to slander the Count with the help of a note, supposedly written by him for another beloved. The guardian is enchanted – this is the real student of the rogue Basilio! – and completely trusts the Count.
Rosina is called for the lesson; she is amazed seeing the plainclothes Almaviva. During the lesson she sings the aria from La Fille Mal Gardee where she narrates the beloved about her sufferings. In some time Figaro comes to shave the guardian. Having had a good argument with him, having smashed half the dishes in the house and having brought him to semiconscious dreamy state, the barber gets on with the work, while beloved arrange the escape the same night. Appearance of the imaginary ill Don Basilio becomes a complete unexpectedness. They can’t show him the door for a long time, heap reproaches and persuasions on him, the Count secretly gives him a wallet and, finally, infinitely surprised with everybody’s madness Don Basilio leaves. However, soon after that Basilio discloses beloved and cashiers ‘Don Alonso’ and Figaro from the house.
Suspicious guardian is full of terrible misgivings – he strongly likes neither the morning ‘soldier’, nor the evening ‘Basilio’s student’. In all that he sees intrigues of the Count Almaviva and urgently sends Don Basilio to the scrivener to marry Rosina this very night. The guardian shows her the letter, given by ‘Don Alonso’ and convinces her of the infidelity of her beloved. Rosina, thinking of being betrayed, is ready to get married with Bartolo and tells him about the expected escape. The guardian runs outside to get reinforcement.
A thunderstorm breaks down. Figaro and the Count penetrate into the house. Rosina throws at ‘Lindor’ bitter reproaches in lies and betrayal, saying that he started not for himself, but he was gaining favour with Count Almaviva. Triumphant Count opens his real name.
Don Basilio and the scrivener appear. The Count persuades them to marry him with threats and promises. When Don Bartolo and soldiers come, Rosina and Almaviva have already signed the contract. The guardian is in despair, but he accepts such situation – Rosina’s dowry stays with him. In everybody’s hearts love and happiness establish. | ||||||||||
