Act I
Figaro, a vagabond, wakes up after having spent the night in the cellar beneath a barbershop. The prospect of having his own barbershop sends Figaro daydreaming, and as he meets a former employer, Count Almaviva, Figaro pretends to be a sought – after barber. Count Almaviva is pursuing a young woman, Rosina, who lives in the house next the barbershop. He hires Figaro, always eager for a paid job, to help him woo the girl. Orphaned Rosina lives under the authority of the wealthy Doctor Bartolo who plans to marry her, much to the chagrin of the young woman. Plans must be make in order to cheat Bartolo.
Berta, Bartolo's housekeeper, is in love with Bartolo and is having an affair with him. While the two are engaged in a dalliance in Berta's room, Almaviva furtively makes advances to Rosina' presenting himself as Lindoro, a poor student. Rosina is increasingly charmed by the young man, but Basilio, a goon and music teacher employed by Bartolo, interrupts the flirtation. Figaro overhears a conversation between Basilio and Bartolo: Basilio has found out that Count Almaviva is pursuing Rosina and suggests that Bartolo rids himself of his rival by spreading gossip about the count, but Bartolo prefers to expedite his wedding plans. Bartolo and Basilio head to the notary for a marriage contract. Figaro visits Rosina, warning her of Bartolo's schemes and receiving her letter for Lindoro.
Almaviva, disguised as a drunken soldier, shows up at Doctor Bartolo's house demanding to be quartered. Bartolo refuses and a brawl ensues during which Lindoro manages to slip a love note to Rosina.
Act II
Figaro disguises Almaviva again – this time as a music teacher – and the Count knocks on Bartolo's door, claiming that his name is Don Alonso, that Basilio has taken ill and that he himself will be teaching Rosina. He wins Bartolo's confidence by showing him Rosina's note to Lindoro, which he claims to have intercepted. Meanwhile Figaro must tinker his way through a clumsy shaving of Bartolo. He fails, however, to distract Bartolo from overhearing Almaviva and Rosina plotting their elopement. Furious, Bartolo attempts to catch the Count and Figaro, who manage to escape.
Bartolo tells Rosina that her dear Lindoro is merely a flunky of Count Almaviva who intends to give her over to the Count as his mistress. Rosina loses all hope, as Berta is devastated, realizing that Bartolo means to marry his young ward. Figaro and Almaviva return to Rosina, who furiously throws at them the accusations made by Bartolo about their supposed collusion with Count Almaviva. Almaviva reveals that Lindoro and the Count are the same and wins over Rosina. Rosina and Almaviva fail to heed Figaro's warnings that Bartolo is on his way. With no time left to escape unseen, the young couple decide instead to get married on the spot. They summon the notary and threaten Basilio to be their witness. Bartolo arrives only to find that the marriage contract has already been signed.
With the collaboration of the Italian Cultural Institute in Tel Aviv
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