Chapter XXXVII: Act I: , Scene 1. A street by Dr. Bartolo's house. Count Almaviva, a

Grandee of Spain, is desperately in love with _Rosina_, the ward of _Doctor Bartolo_. Accompanied by his servant Fiorello and a band of lutists, he serenades her with the smooth, flowing measures of "Ecco ridente in cielo," (Lo, smiling in the Eastern sky).

[Music: Ecco ridente in cielo,]

Just then _Figaro_, the barber, the general factotum and busybody of the town, dances in, singing the famous patter air, "Largo al factotum della città" (Room for the city's factotum).

[Music: Largo al factotum della città largo,]

He is _Dr. Bartolo's_ barber, and, learning from the _Count_ of his heart's desire, immediately plots with him to bring about his introduction to _Rosina_. There are two clever duets between _Figaro_ and the _Count_--one in which _Almaviva_ promises money to the _Barber_; the other in praise of love and pleasure.

_Rosina_ is strictly watched by her guardian, _Doctor Bartolo_, who himself plans to marry his ward, since she has both beauty and money. In this he is assisted by _Basilio_, a music-master. _Rosina_, however, returns the affection of the _Count_, and, in spite of the watchfulness of her guardian, she contrives to drop a letter from the balcony to _Almaviva_, who is still with _Figaro_ below, declaring her passion, and at the same time requesting to know her lover's name.

Scene 2. Room in _Dr. Bartolo's_ house. _Rosina_ enters. She sings the brilliant "Una voce poco fa" (A little voice I heard just now),

[Music: Una voce poco fa qui nel cor mi risuonò]

followed by "Io sono docile" (With mild and docile air).

[Music: Io sono docile, son rispettosa,]

_Figaro_, who has left _Almaviva_ and come in from the street, tells her that the _Count_ is Signor Lindor, claims him as a cousin, and adds that the young man is deeply in love with her. _Rosina_ is delighted. She gives him a note to convey to the supposed Signor Lindor. (Duet, _Rosina_ and _Figaro_: "Dunque io son, tu non m'inganni?"--Am I his love, or dost thou mock me?)

Meanwhile _Bartolo_ has made known to _Basilio_ his suspicions that _Count Almaviva_ is in love with _Rosina_. _Basilio_ advises to start a scandal about the _Count_ and, in an aria ("La calunnia") remarkable for its descriptive crescendo, depicts how calumny may spread from the first breath to a tempest of scandal.

[Music: La calunnia è un venticello]

To obtain an interview with _Rosina_, the _Count_ disguises himself as a drunken soldier, and forces his way into _Bartolo's_ house. The disguise of _Almaviva_ is penetrated by the guardian, and the pretended soldier is placed under arrest, but is at once released upon secretly showing the officer his order as a Grandee of Spain. Chorus, preceded by the trio, for _Rosina_, _Almaviva_ and _Bartolo_--"Fredda ed immobile" (Awestruck and immovable).