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Quiz about Rossinis Il Barbiere di Siviglia
Quiz about Rossinis Il Barbiere di Siviglia

Rossini's "Il Barbiere di Siviglia" Quiz


A quiz about Rossini's eternally popular comic masterpiece, based on the play by Beaumarchais. Good Luck!

A multiple-choice quiz by jouen58. Estimated time: 7 mins.
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Author
jouen58
Time
7 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
130,123
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
20
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
12 / 20
Plays
531
Awards
Top 10% Quiz
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Question 1 of 20
1. The opera was originally entitled "Almaviva, o 'l'Inutile Precauzione'" ("Almaviva, or 'The Useless Precaution'").


Question 2 of 20
2. Rossini's opera had been preceded by Mozart's "Le Nozze di Figaro", whose story is actually the sequel to "Barbiere". Approximately how many years had elapsed between the premiere of "Nozze" and the premiere of "Barbiere"? Hint


Question 3 of 20
3. Several unfortunate incidents marred the premiere of the opera in 1816, which the composer considered a disaster. Which of these was NOT one of them? Hint


Question 4 of 20
4. The Overture to "Barbiere" had been lifted from an earlier opera of Rossini's, as had the fast section of Rosina's "Una Voce Poco Fa" in Act I ("Io sono docile"). Which opera were they taken from? Hint


Question 5 of 20
5. The first words of the opera are sung by the Count Almaviva's servant, who is quietly assembling a group of musicians to serenade Rosina. What is the servant's name? Hint


Question 6 of 20
6. After the serenade, at which Rosina fails to appear, the Count pays the musicians. They proceed to make a noisy and embarrasing scene, which Almaviva desperately tries to quiet. What is the cause of this? Hint


Question 7 of 20
7. Almaviva, taking a page from the book of the Duke of Mantua in Verdi's "Rigoletto", is in disguise as a penniless student named Lindoro to woo Rosina. How many disguises does he assume in the opera? Hint


Question 8 of 20
8. Figaro's entrance aria "Largo al Factotum" is undoubtedly one of the most recognizeable -and parodied- arias in all of opera. Which of the following is true of Figaro's profession, according to the aria? Hint


Question 9 of 20
9. Rosina appears on her balcony with a letter for "Lindoro" which she intends to drop off the balcony to him. She is surprised by Bartolo, who demands to know what the paper is. She tells him it is the music of an opera aria she is rehearsing. What is the name of this fictional "opera", which is referred to a number of times in the libretto. Hint


Question 10 of 20
10. In the duet that ends Act I, scene 1, Almaviva conspires with Figaro to win Rosina and pry her away from Bartolo. Figaro suggests that Almaviva disguise himself as soldier under orders to billet in Bartolo's house. He then has another brainstorm and suggests that Almaviva pretend to be intoxicated as well. Why? Hint


Question 11 of 20
11. Bartolo returns near the beginning of Act I, scene 2, and complains that the maid is constantly sneezing and the porter keeps falling asleep. What was the cause of this? Hint


Question 12 of 20
12. When Bartolo questions Rosina as to what she and Figaro were discussing, she explains that Figaro was telling her that his daughter was sick; later, when Bartolo notices that a piece of notepaper is missing, she tells him that she used a piece to wrap up some candy for Figaro's daughter. What is this daughter's name? Hint


Question 13 of 20
13. Bartolo, sensing that Rosina is deceiving him, warns her that a man of his station is not to be trifled with in the aria "A 'Un Dottor Della Mia Sorte". Because of this aria's great difficulty, it has sometimes been replaced by a less challenging aria "Manca un Foglio" by Romani. What is the aria's principal difficulty? Hint


Question 14 of 20
14. After Almaviva enters, pretending to be a drunken soldier stationed at the house, Bartolo once again notices Rosina dropping a letter, which the "soldier" gallantly retrieves and gives back to her. What does she claim it is, when Bartolo asks her? Hint


Question 15 of 20
15. In the begining of Act II, Almaviva appears, disguised as "Don Alonso", a singing teacher sent to replace Don Basilio, who he says is indisposed. What does he repeatedly do, to Bartolo's great annoyance? Hint


Question 16 of 20
16. After Rosina sings her aria "Contro un Cor", during the lesson scene, Bartolo proceeds to reminisce about a famous singer of his own time. Who was it? Hint


Question 17 of 20
17. In the middle of Act II, scene 1, the "indisposed" Don Basilio makes an unexpected (and unwelcome) appearance and is astonished to find "Don Alonso", whom he does not know, teaching Rosina. To get rid of him, Figaro takes his temperature and declares momentously that he is suffering from this malady. Hint


Question 18 of 20
18. In her brief aria "Il Vecciotto Cercar Moglie", the maid Berta sings about "...un mal universale, uno smania, un pizzicore, un solletico, un tormento." ("It is a universal evil, a mania, an itch, a tickle, a torment") What is she referring to? Hint


Question 19 of 20
19. There is an instrumental interlude before the final scene of Act II, What does it depict? Hint


Question 20 of 20
20. Figaro and "Lindoro" arrive to spirit Rosina from the house. She angrily tells them to leave, believing that they have have duped her and plan to marry her off to the Count Almaviva. When "Lindoro" reveals himself to be Almaviva, she is both astounded and delighted and readily agrees to elope with him. However, they are nearly stopped by Bartolo's machinations. What causes the near-miss? Hint



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. The opera was originally entitled "Almaviva, o 'l'Inutile Precauzione'" ("Almaviva, or 'The Useless Precaution'").

Answer: True

Rossini took great pains to avoid comparisons between his opera and that of Giovanni Paisiello, whose version of Beaumarchais "Le Barbiere du Seville" had held the stage for thirty years. His attempts to avoid comparison were, at first, unsuccessful; soon, however, his opera became a sensation on its own and eventually eclipsed Paisiello's version.
2. Rossini's opera had been preceded by Mozart's "Le Nozze di Figaro", whose story is actually the sequel to "Barbiere". Approximately how many years had elapsed between the premiere of "Nozze" and the premiere of "Barbiere"?

Answer: About 30 years

"Le Nozze di Figaro" premiered in Vienna on May 1, 1786. "Il Barbiere di Siviglia" premiered in Rome on February 20, 1816.
3. Several unfortunate incidents marred the premiere of the opera in 1816, which the composer considered a disaster. Which of these was NOT one of them?

Answer: Rossini was booed at the final curtain call.

The opera's premiere was disastrous for a number of reasons. To begin with, many members of the audience were admirers of Paisiello's established opera on the same subject and saw no reason why there should be a new version. Things were not helped when Rossini showed up in a "Spanish" style getup to conduct the opera.

The tenor, who had insisted on accompanying himself on the guitar, broke a string and had to re-tune, much to the amusement of the audience. More hilarity, of the wrong kind, ensued when a cat wandered onstage, to the discomfort of the singers. Rossini never made it to the final curtain call; he walked out in the middle of the performance and went home to bed. Fortunately, the second performance was a great success and the opera's popularity was assured thereafter.
4. The Overture to "Barbiere" had been lifted from an earlier opera of Rossini's, as had the fast section of Rosina's "Una Voce Poco Fa" in Act I ("Io sono docile"). Which opera were they taken from?

Answer: Elisabetta, Regina d'Inghilterra

The overture had actually done double duty before "Barbiere", having been used for "Aureliano in Palmira" and "Elisabetta"; the story was that Rossini, notoriously lazy, had neglected to write an overture for "Barbiere" and at the eleventh hour quickly substituted the one from "Elisabetta", which had not been performed in some time. Rosina's "Io sono docile" was originally the cabaletta of Elisabetta's opening aria.
5. The first words of the opera are sung by the Count Almaviva's servant, who is quietly assembling a group of musicians to serenade Rosina. What is the servant's name?

Answer: Fiorello

In a bit of recitative (invariably cut in performance) at the end of Act I, scene 1, Fiorello complains of the difficulties of being Almaviva's servant (rather similar to Leporello's "Notte e Giorno Faticar" gripe in Mozart's "Don Giovanni"). Figaro, too, will have problems with Almaviva in the sequel.
6. After the serenade, at which Rosina fails to appear, the Count pays the musicians. They proceed to make a noisy and embarrasing scene, which Almaviva desperately tries to quiet. What is the cause of this?

Answer: They are excessively grateful at the Count's extreme generosity.

The musicians are delighted when Almaviva extravagantly pays them for their services and crowd around him, singing "Mille grazie! Mio Signore". The Count, angry at the commotion they are making, curses them and tries to quiet them and dismiss them. (I have seen this bit played as if the players are angry at the wages they have received and are being sarcastic when they profusely thank the Count; it works either way).
7. Almaviva, taking a page from the book of the Duke of Mantua in Verdi's "Rigoletto", is in disguise as a penniless student named Lindoro to woo Rosina. How many disguises does he assume in the opera?

Answer: Three

He is disguised as the student Lindoro in scene 1, in scene 2, at Figaro's urging, he impersonates a drunken soldier billeted in Bartolo's house. In the first scene of Act II, he impersonates "Don Alonso", a music teacher supposedly sent by the indisposed Don Basilio to give Rosina's daily singing lesson.
8. Figaro's entrance aria "Largo al Factotum" is undoubtedly one of the most recognizeable -and parodied- arias in all of opera. Which of the following is true of Figaro's profession, according to the aria?

Answer: All of these.

Figaro is on his way to the shop at dawn ("Presto a bottega che l'alba e gia"). His customers frequently ask him to deliver letters and notes ("Presto il biglietto"). Bleeding (now known to be, at best, worthless from a medical point of view) was commonly practiced at that time ("Qua la sanguinia"); the red and white stripes on the barber's pole derive from this practice.
9. Rosina appears on her balcony with a letter for "Lindoro" which she intends to drop off the balcony to him. She is surprised by Bartolo, who demands to know what the paper is. She tells him it is the music of an opera aria she is rehearsing. What is the name of this fictional "opera", which is referred to a number of times in the libretto.

Answer: L'Inutile Precauzion ("The Useless Precaution")

Rosina will later sing an aria, supposedly from this opera, in the Lesson Scene in Act II. Figaro will ironically allude to the opera's title in the final scene, just before the finale. ("L'Occasione" is another Rossini opera, "La Serva Padrona" is an opera by Pergolesi, "Il Triunfo d'Amore" is a title I made up.
10. In the duet that ends Act I, scene 1, Almaviva conspires with Figaro to win Rosina and pry her away from Bartolo. Figaro suggests that Almaviva disguise himself as soldier under orders to billet in Bartolo's house. He then has another brainstorm and suggests that Almaviva pretend to be intoxicated as well. Why?

Answer: Because one is naturally less suspicious of someone who is drunk.

Almaviva reacts with shock and disdain to the idea of behaving like an inebriate (he is a nobleman, after all) until Figaro points out that Bartolo is likely to be less wary of his actions if he believes him to be a harmless drunk. Personally, I believe Figaro also enjoys the idea of getting a nobleman to act like a falling-down drunk.
11. Bartolo returns near the beginning of Act I, scene 2, and complains that the maid is constantly sneezing and the porter keeps falling asleep. What was the cause of this?

Answer: Figaro gave each the wrong medications.

The maid had insomnia and the porter had a head-cold. Figaro was supposed to provide the maid with a sleeping draught and the porter with snuff, to clear his head; he gave each one the other's medication. Undoubtedly, this was not accidental; Figaro wants the porter to be asleep at his watch and wants to be able to tell when the inquisitive and watchful maid is nearby when he talks to Rosina about Almaviva.
12. When Bartolo questions Rosina as to what she and Figaro were discussing, she explains that Figaro was telling her that his daughter was sick; later, when Bartolo notices that a piece of notepaper is missing, she tells him that she used a piece to wrap up some candy for Figaro's daughter. What is this daughter's name?

Answer: Marcellina

Marcellina is something of a puzzle; does she actually exist? Figaro is not married yet, that happens in the next play/opera. This does not preclude his having a daughter, but we neither see nor hear of Marcellina in "The Marriage of Figaro"; there is, to be sure, an adult character named Marcellina who is much older than Figaro and turns out to be his mother.
13. Bartolo, sensing that Rosina is deceiving him, warns her that a man of his station is not to be trifled with in the aria "A 'Un Dottor Della Mia Sorte". Because of this aria's great difficulty, it has sometimes been replaced by a less challenging aria "Manca un Foglio" by Romani. What is the aria's principal difficulty?

Answer: The extremely rapid patter of the middle section.

The long middle section of this aria (it is often shortened in performance) requires the singer to fire off many words at lightning speed. The best performance of this aria in my experience has been by Enzo Dara in the 1972 Deutsche-Gramophone recording conducted by Claudio Abbado and starring Hermann Prey, Teresa Berganza, and Luigi Alva; he not only gets his tongue around every word, but even manages to convey their meaning.
14. After Almaviva enters, pretending to be a drunken soldier stationed at the house, Bartolo once again notices Rosina dropping a letter, which the "soldier" gallantly retrieves and gives back to her. What does she claim it is, when Bartolo asks her?

Answer: The laundry list.

Rosina claims that it was only "la lista del bucato", the laundry list. Bartolo is not deceived and demands that she hand it over; however the wily Rosina has switched it behind her back with the laundry list, which she had on her. Bartolo is greatly chagrined when he opens it and finds that it is, indeed, the laundry list.
15. In the begining of Act II, Almaviva appears, disguised as "Don Alonso", a singing teacher sent to replace Don Basilio, who he says is indisposed. What does he repeatedly do, to Bartolo's great annoyance?

Answer: Intones a blessing on every corner of the house.

"Don Alonso" enters singing "Pace e gioia sia con vuoi... Goia e pace per mil'anni." ("Peace and joy be with you... Joy and peace for a thousand years") He proceeds to utter this incantation in every corner af the house, driving Bartolo (whose nerves are already frayed from the previous nights experience, when the house was invaded by the police) to utter distraction.
16. After Rosina sings her aria "Contro un Cor", during the lesson scene, Bartolo proceeds to reminisce about a famous singer of his own time. Who was it?

Answer: Caffariello (a castrato)

Bartolo praises Rosina's voice, but declares that the aria is a terrible bore (ironically, this line is usually omitted when "Contro un Cor" is replaced by some other coloratura showpiece, which is when it would most likely be justified). He then reminisces about when Caffariello sang a certain aria, which he himself proceeds to sing (coyly substituting the name "Giannina" for "Rosina").

It ends in a minuet, which he dances with Rosina; they are interrupted by the arrival of Figaro, who imitates Bartolo's dancing.
17. In the middle of Act II, scene 1, the "indisposed" Don Basilio makes an unexpected (and unwelcome) appearance and is astonished to find "Don Alonso", whom he does not know, teaching Rosina. To get rid of him, Figaro takes his temperature and declares momentously that he is suffering from this malady.

Answer: Scarlet fever

They also surreptiously hand Basilio a full purse to bribe him to leave quietly. There ensues the hilarious "Buona sera, mio signore" quartet, in which Almaviva, Figaro, and Rosina try graciously to usher Basilio out the door. Basilio, no doubt enjoying their discomfiture, drags out his exit by feigning extreme gratitude at their solicitude for his welfare.
18. In her brief aria "Il Vecciotto Cercar Moglie", the maid Berta sings about "...un mal universale, uno smania, un pizzicore, un solletico, un tormento." ("It is a universal evil, a mania, an itch, a tickle, a torment") What is she referring to?

Answer: Love.

Berta is decrying the constant uproar in the house, all caused by the desire of both Rosina and Bartolo to marry. She wonders "Ma, che cosa e quest' amore, che fa tutti a delirar" ("What kind of thing is this love, which makes everyone delirious?"). She then rails against it, but must admit that- "Poverina, anch'io lo sento" ("Poor me, I feel it as well"). We are not told who the object of her affection is; in many productions, it is her employer, which would make sense.
19. There is an instrumental interlude before the final scene of Act II, What does it depict?

Answer: A rainstorm with thunder and lightning.

The "Temporale", which uses music from the overture, depicts a rainstorm slowly gathering in force until it becomes a full-blown thunderstorm.
20. Figaro and "Lindoro" arrive to spirit Rosina from the house. She angrily tells them to leave, believing that they have have duped her and plan to marry her off to the Count Almaviva. When "Lindoro" reveals himself to be Almaviva, she is both astounded and delighted and readily agrees to elope with him. However, they are nearly stopped by Bartolo's machinations. What causes the near-miss?

Answer: All of these.

After the revelation has been made, Rosina and Almaviva begin an ecstatic duet "Ah, Qual Colpo Inaspettato", which goes on at considerable length. Figaro vainly tries to get them to wrap it up (he also imitates them, to hilarious effect); eventually, he sees two people with a lantern coming to the door and alerts them.

They sing the trio "Zitti, zitti, piano, piano" as they ascend the stairs to the balcony, trying not to panic. They discover, to their dismay, that the ladder has been removed. Worse, the two people turn out to be Basilio and a notary he has brought to effect the marriage of Rosina and Bartolo. Almaviva bribes Basilio again, this time with a costly ring, and also places a loaded pistol to his head. Basilio takes both the bribe and the hint.

By the time Bartolo arrives, Rosina and Almaviva are married. Bartolo rages that, in removing the ladder from the balcony, he actually facilitated their plot. As Figaro points out, that was truly "The useless precaution!"
Source: Author jouen58

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Bruyere before going online.
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