Rossini composed  IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA when he was 24 years old.  It is considered to be the finest comic opera in existence!  From start to finish it is marvelously crafted, brilliantly inventive, and uproariously funny. 

The libretto is based on LE MARRIAGE DE FIGARO of Baumarchais, a French playwright whose book had already served Mozart with an excellent opera subject for his NOZZE DI FIGARO.  The setting is Seville in the 18th Century.  The central figure is Figaro, the barber.  Count Almaviva, a Spanish grandee, has arrived in Seville disguised as a poor student named Lindoro in order to woo Rosina, the ward of the pompous Dr. Bartolo who plans to marry her himself. Almaviva enlists the help of Figaro in winning Rosina’s affections. Together they trick Dr. Bartolo and the Count marries Rosina.