Act One
A square in Seville at dawn, outside Doctor Bartolo's house.
Count Almaviva, disguised as a humble student named Lindoro, attempts to serenade Rosina with the help of his servant Fiorello, and a group of musicians. The serenade fails to rouse Rosina, and the Count, annoyed by the musicians' loud demands for payment, dismisses them. Soon after, Figaro, the famous barber, enters singing about his bustling life as the "factotum of the city." The Count recognizes Figaro as his former servant. Upon learning the Count is infatuated with Rosina, Doctor Bartolo's ward, Figaro sees an opportunity for reward. Rosina appears on her balcony and, in a clever move, drops a note to the Count, which Figaro retrieves, expressing her curiosity about her admirer and her desire to escape her tyrant guardian. Figaro devises a plan for the Count to disguise himself as a drunken soldier and demand lodging in Doctor Bartolo's house, believing he would trust someone tipsy from wine. The Count readily agrees, promising Figaro gold galore.
Inside Doctor Bartolo's house.
Rosina expresses her love for Lindoro, and her determination to outwit her guardian. Figaro arrives and informs her of Doctor Bartolo's plan to marry her the very next day, much to her dismay. He cunningly extracts a love letter from Rosina, which she had already prepared for Lindoro, showcasing her own cleverness. Doctor Bartolo enters, immediately suspecting Rosina has been communicating with Figaro, noticing ink on her finger and a missing sheet of paper, which Rosina quickly covers up with fabricated excuses. Meanwhile, Don Basilio, Rosina's music teacher, arrives to warn Doctor Bartolo that Count Almaviva is in Seville, and suggests slandering him to prevent his pursuit of Rosina. Doctor Bartolo, eager to secure his marriage, decides to prepare the marriage contract immediately. The Count then arrives, disguised as the drunken soldier, demanding lodging. A chaotic exchange ensues with Doctor Bartolo, during which the Count attempts to pass a note to Rosina, but he intercepts it. Rosina cleverly switches the love letter for a laundry list, fooling him. The commotion attracts the attention of the police, but the Count reveals his true identity to the officer, leaving everyone in astonishment.
Act Two
Doctor Bartolo, still suspicious of the soldier, remains oblivious when the Count reappears, now disguised as Don Alonso, a music teacher and pupil of the supposedly ill Don Basilio. The Count (as Don Alonso) gains Doctor Bartolo's trust by showing him Rosina's letter to "Lindoro," and proposing a plan to slander the Count to Rosina, suggesting it would prove the Count was merely toying with her. During Rosina's "music lesson," she and the Count, with Doctor Bartolo present, communicate their affection through the lyrics of a song. Figaro arrives to shave Doctor Bartolo and, using a feigned eye injury, manages to secretly obtain the key to the balcony window. The plan is nearly jeopardized when Don Basilio unexpectedly appears, in perfect health. The Count, Figaro, and Rosina quickly bribe Don Basilio with a purse of gold, and convince him he is severely ill and should go to bed. While Doctor Bartolo is being shaved, the lovers plan their midnight elopement. Doctor Bartolo overhears their conversation about the disguise and the letter, finally realizing he's been tricked. That night, Figaro and the Count enter through the balcony, but Rosina, having been misled by Doctor Bartolo that Lindoro was merely a pawn of the Count, initially rebuffs her suitor. The Count then reveals his true identity as Almaviva, leading to Rosina's joyous realization. They discover the ladder for their escape has been removed by Doctor Bartolo. However, Don Basilio arrives with the notary, whom Doctor Bartolo had summoned to draw up his own marriage contract with Rosina. Figaro quickly intervenes, claiming the notary is there for the marriage of Count Almaviva and his niece (Rosina). The Count bribes Don Basilio again and threatens him with two bullets in the head if he resists, securing him as a witness. Doctor Bartolo returns with an officer and soldiers, intending to arrest the Count, but it's too late: the marriage contract is signed, and Rosina is now Countess Almaviva. Doctor Bartolo acknowledges his defeat as the others celebrate their happy ending.
