Il barbiere di Siviglia

Gioachino Rossini (1792-1868) was an Italian composer who is best remembered for his operas. The 1815 masterpiece Il Barbiere Di Siviglia is widely considered the greatest of comic operas. The libretto was adapted by Cesore Sterbini from the first of a trilogy of plays by the French dramatist Beaumarchais, considered highly subversive for their depiction of nobility as buffoons dependant on and manipulated by their wily servants. The plot involves the efforts of the amorous young Count Almaviva to woo and win the lovely Rosina, in the process outwitting her ward, Dr. Bartolo, who fancies her for himself. This Ricordi Critical Edition of the VocalScore is in Italian and English.