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Act I

Count Almaviva, with his servant Fiorello and some musicians, comes incognito to serenade Rosina, ward of Dr. Bartolo. Bartolo keeps Rosina confined to his house with the intention of marrying her himself and acquiring her dowry. Since there is no response, Almaviva pays off the musicians, deciding to wait until daylight in hopes of seeing Rosina. The barber Figaro appears and describes his busy life. He promises to help Almaviva for a suitable reward. The Count sings a serenade, giving himself the romantic pseudonym Lindoro and assuring Rosina of his love. Figaro suggests the Count force his way into Bartolo’s house under pretext of being a soldier billeted there. The Count anticipates love fulfilled while the Barber anticipates monetary reward.

Reflecting on the voice that has captivated her heart, Rosina resolves to be united with its owner. Bartolo enters, followed by the music master Don Basilio, who warns him that a rival for Rosina’s hand, Count Almaviva, is in Seville. Bartolo resolves to marry his ward at once, and Basilio advises using slander to get rid of Almaviva. Figaro overhears, warns Rosina, and promises to carry a letter from her to Lindoro. The suspicious Bartolo tries to get Rosina to admit that she has written to her suitor, warning she should not trifle with so important a person as himself. Almaviva bursts in, disguised as a drunken soldier. A row ensues when Bartolo claims exemption from billeting orders. As a crowd gathers outside, police try to take the troublemaker into custody, but he confides his identity to the Sergeant, who frees him. Bartolo and the others express excitement and confusion.

Act II

Bartolo suspects the intruder was a spy for Almaviva, who arrives again, this time disguised as Don Alonso, a music teacher substituting for the ill Basilio. The newcomer says he is staying at the same inn as Almaviva and has found a letter from Rosina. He offers to tell Rosina that Almaviva is deceiving her. Reassured, Bartolo allows Alonso to give Rosina her singing lesson. When Figaro arrives to shave Bartolo, the doctor cannot decide which one to trust alone – the clumsy Figaro in his pantry or Rosina with her teacher. He is doubly tricked: Figaro purloins the key to the balcony, while Alonso, recognized by Rosina, proposes to her. As the shaving is about to being, Basilio himself appears, but a bribe from the Count persuades him to play sick and leave. The lovers plan elopement, but Bartolo overhears the word disguise and sends for Basilio. A while later, Bartolo welcomes Basilio and learns there is no Alonso. The doctor sends his crony to fetch a lawyer at once so he can marry his ward that very evening. Calling Rosina, he flashes her a note saying Lindoro lied to her and plans to win her for his master Almaviva. Wanting vengeance, Rosina agrees to marry Bartolo at once, adding that Figaro and Lindoro plan to enter by way of the balcony. Bartolo sends her to her room, saying that he will fetch the police, as a storm bursts outside.

When the storm subsides, Figaro and Almaviva enter through the window, only to be spurned by the angry Rosina, until Lindoro reveals his true identity. Rosina is delighted. Ready to escape, they find their ladder has been taken from the balcony. Basilio, entering with his lawyer, is sent off with another bribe from the Count, who joins Rosina in signing the marriage contract. Bartolo surprises them but is mollified to learn that he can keep Rosina’s dowry, and all ends happily.