o acts by ROSSINI.

This opera may be called a miracle of Rossini's creation, as it not
only is his best work, but was written by him in a fortnight, a
performance nearly incredible, for the music is so finely worked out,
and so elegant, that the opera has grown to be a favorite with all
nations.

The subject, taken from Beaumarchais' witty trilogy of "Figaros" had
ere this lent inspiration {23} to more than one composer; Mozart's
"Figaro", though done before the "Barbiere" is in a certain sense the
continuation of Rossini's opera.

The Barbiere had the peculiar misfortune, to experience an utter
reverse on the occasion of its first representation. It was composed
for the Duke Cesarini, proprietor of the Argentina theatre in Rome, and
the cabals and intrigues of Paesiello's partisans (who had composed the
same subject) turned the balance in Rossini's disfavor. But on the
second evening good taste prevailed, and since then the opera has been
a universal favorite.

Beaumarchais' tale was worked out anew by the Roman poet, Sterbini; in
our opera it runs as follows:

Count Almaviva is enamoured of Rosina, the ward of Doctor Bartolo. She
is most jealously guarded by the old man, who wishes to make her his
own wife. In vain the Count serenades her; she does not appear, and he
must needs invent some other means of obtaining his object. Making the
acquaintance of the lighthearted and cunning barber Figaro, the latter
advises him to get entrance into Bartolo's house in the guise of a
soldier possessing a billet of quartering for his lodgings. Rosina
herself has not failed to hear the sweet love-songs of the Count, known
to her only under the simple name of Lindoro; and with southern
passion, and the lightheartedness, which characterizes all the persons
who figure in this opera, but which is not to be mistaken for
frivolity, Rosina loves her nice lover {24} and is willing to be his
own. Figaro has told her of Almaviva's love, and in return she gives
him a note, which she has written in secret. But the old Doctor is a
sly fox, he has seen the inky little finger, and determines to keep his
eyes open.

When the Count appears in the guise of a half-drunken dragoon, the
Doctor sends Rosina away, and tries to put the soldier out of the
house, pretending to have a license against all billets. The Count
resists, and while Bartolo seeks for his license, makes love to Rosina,
but after the Doctor's return there arises su