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Opera/The Barber Of Seville

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Expert: Mike Leone - 8/30/2008


Question
Hi - This question has to do with the famous scene of Alfalfa singing "I'm the barber of Seville - Figaro! Figaro! Figaro!"  I managed to find the "Figaro" quote in the Largo al factotum portion of the opera, but I can't find the "Barber of Seville" portion (realizing, of course, that it would not be in English).  Can you tell which part of the opera contains this?  Or could this possibly be from one of the non-Rossini Barber/Figaro works?

Answer
Hi Robert--

God, I haven't thought about that scene in years.  If I hadn't seen that short on television when I was a kid, back in prehistoric days, I wouldn't have a clue what you were talking about.

Anyway, "I'm the barber of Seville" is original with Alfalfa; or at least that phrase doesn't occur anywhere in the opera The Barber of Seville.

Mike Leone

lionman299@yahoo.com

Opera

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Mike Leone

Expertise

I have a special affinity for Italian opera, but I also have a lot of experience with French and German opera. I know somewhat less about opera from countries other than these, although there are some exceptions. My main area of interest is the period 1775-1925, although there are a few baroque and modern works that I love.

Experience

I've been listening to opera since 1963 and have amassed a large collection of recorded opera during those years. My interest here spans the entire history of recorded opera, going back to its very earliest days.

Publications
I have published a couple of lengthy reviews and a tribute to Mario del Monaco in Immortal Performances, have had some letters appear in Fanfare and have several reviews on amazon.com.

Education/Credentials
B.A., University of Maryland 1973, M.A., University of Texas 1975, J.D., University of Houston 1998 (none of these degrees are in music).

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