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SYNOPSIS
One morning on his way to work, the barber Figaro runs into his former master, Count Almaviva. Almaviva is waiting to catch a glimpse of lovely Rosina, the woman who has caught his eye. Rosina is under the care and close watch of Dr. Bartolo, her grouchy old guardian. The Count promises Figaro a handsome reward if he will help Almaviva rescue Rosina from Bartolo.
Almaviva decides to send a love letter to Rosina. Because he does not want Rosina to love him just for his status as a Count, Almaviva signs the letter as Lindoro, a humble student. Determined to escape from Bartolo’s clutches, Rosina manages to send “Lindoro” a letter telling him that she is attracted to him as well. Dr. Bartolo, meanwhile, plans to marry Rosina for her money. He enlists the help of her unscrupulous music teacher, Don Basilio, to carry out his plan.
To get the Count into the house to see Rosina, Figaro disguises Almaviva as a cavalry officer with orders to be housed by Dr. Bartolo. But Bartolo counters with an official letter showing that he is not required to house soldiers, and the Count has to leave.
The Count returns later the same day, this time disguised as the music teacher “Don Alonso.” He claims that Don Basilio has fallen ill and sent Alonso as a substitute. Bartolo is suspicious. To convince Bartolo that Alonso is scheming for him, not against him, the Count gives Bartolo the love letter that Rosina had sent to “Lindoro”. He suggests that they concoct a story implicating “Lindoro” as the Count’s spy. Reassured, Bartolo allows “Don Alonso” to give Rosina her singing lesson.
At first everything goes well. Behind Bartolo’s back, Rosina and “Lindoro” declare their mutual love. Figaro gets hold of the key to Rosina’s balcony door, so that the Count may return that night and elope with her. But things begin to go wrong. Don Basilio turns up, and must be persuaded (with the help of a bribe) that he is sick with fever and should be home in bed. Then Bartolo sees through the “Don Alonso” disguise, and the Count and Figaro flee.
Bartolo shows Rosina the letter that “Don Alonso” gave him, as proof that her “Lindoro” is planning to turn her over to his aristocratic master, the notorious Count Almaviva. Rosina thinks Almaviva has betrayed her, and she is devastated. Angry and hurt, she agrees to marry Bartolo, even though she will be miserable with him. She also tells Bartolo about the escape they had planned for that night, and he goes to fetch the police.
At midnight, with the help of a ladder and the stolen key, Figaro and the Count enter the house in secret. When Rosina accuses “Lindoro” of being an agent of the Count Almaviva, he reveals his true identity, sure now that Rosina loves him for himself and not his rank or money. The lovers are about to escape when they discover that someone has taken the ladder away. Just then, Basilio and a notary arrive with a marriage contract. The Count bribes Basilio to change the contract to read “Count Almaviva” instead of “Dr. Bartolo,” and the two young people are wed. Upon returning, Bartolo realizes that he has been outwitted. Making the best of it, he gives the couple his blessing.
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