Characters
Which character is considered the “puppet master” of the plot and why?
Figaro, because he orchestrates the deception and plans
What event starts the action in the opera?
Count Almaviva sees Rosina and falls in love.
What is Rosina's voice type?
mezzo soprano
What is bel canto?
a) A type of dance
b) A vocal style focused on beauty of tone and technique
c) A musical instrument
d) A type of opera performance
b) A vocal style focused on beauty of tone and technique
Who wrote The Barber of Seville?
Gioachino Rossini
How does Rosina’s personality contrast with traditional portrayals of women in operas of her time?
Rosina, because she is clever, assertive, and takes initiative
How does disguise drive the action in the opera?
It allows characters to deceive others and move the plot forward.
What is an aria in an opera?
A. A group dance
B. A duet between two singers
C. A solo song sung by one character
D. A spoken line between songs
C. A solo song sung by one character
How does the absence of microphones affect opera performance technique?
a) Singers use loudspeakers to amplify their voices
b) Singers must project with resonance and clarity
c) Singers use microphones hidden in their costumes
d) Singers perform in smaller theaters
b) Singers must project with resonance and clarity
What country was Rossini from?
Italy
Which character changes identity during the opera, and what is the reason behind this?
Count Almaviva, to win Rosina’s love without revealing his status.
Describe the turning point of the opera.
When Rosina discovers Lindoro is actually Almaviva
Which character makes a grand entrance in The Barber of Seville by singing the famous aria “Largo al factotum”?
A. Count Almaviva
B. Figaro
C. Dr. Bartolo
D. Rosina
B. Figaro
What is an aria in opera?
A. A fast, funny song
B. A solo song sung by one character
C. A group of people singing together
D. A type of dance performed during the show
B. A solo song sung by one character
When did The Barber of Seville first premiere?
A. 1760
B. 1816
C. 1850
D. 1900
B. 1816
What evidence in the libretto shows that Dr. Bartolo is both controlling and insecure?
He locks Rosina away, spreads rumors, and tries to rush a marriage.
Why does Rossini use a fast-paced series of events in Act II?
To build comic tension and highlight the confusion between characters.
What is the fast, exciting music played at the beginning of the opera?
Overture
What is a buffo bass?
a) A high soprano voice used for dramatic characters
b) A low voice with agility, often for comic roles
c) A tenor voice used for heroic roles
d) A voice type used only in operatic duets
b) A low voice with agility, often for comic roles
What famous cartoon used music from The Barber of Seville?
A. Looney Tunes
B. Tom and Jerry
C. The Simpsons
D. Scooby-Doo
A. Looney Tunes
What is Don Basilio's number 1 tactic to gain control and power throughout the opera?
The use of slander (type of defamation that involves making false, spoken statements that harm someone's reputation).
Describe how the ending is both humorous and a clever way to criticize society.
The young couple outsmarts the older man, making fun of the idea that society should control who people marry.
How does Rossini’s music make The Barber of Seville more engaging for the audience?
A. By using slow, quiet melodies throughout the opera
B. By repeating the same musical themes in every scene
C. By writing fast, energetic music that matches the humor and chaos of the story
D. By focusing only on the orchestra and avoiding vocal solos
C. By writing fast, energetic music that matches the humor and chaos of the story
What language is The Barber of Seville sung in?
Italian
What was Rossini’s nickname because he loved food?
A. The Gourmet Composer
B. The Italian Chef
C. The Barber of Taste
D. The Hungry Maestro
A. The Gourmet Composer