At the beginning of the opera, Count Almaviva stands beneath Rosina’s window at dawn.
But he does not want her to fall in love with his title or his wealth. He wants to be loved simply for himself, so he introduces himself as Lindoro, a poor young student.
His serenade begins as the morning light appears over Seville.
“Ecco, ridente in cielo
spunta la bella aurora…”
Look — smiling in the sky,
the beautiful dawn is breaking.
The image is gentle and romantic. Night is disappearing, the sun is rising, and Almaviva hopes that Rosina will appear at her window.
“E tu non sorgi ancora
e puoi dormir così?”
And you have not risen yet?
How can you still be sleeping?
He is impatient to see her. While the whole world seems to be waking, Rosina is still hidden inside Bartolo’s house.
Then his words become more personal:
“Sorgi, mia dolce speme,
vieni, bell’idol mio…”
Rise, my sweet hope,
come, my beautiful beloved.
Rosina is more than simply the woman he admires. He calls her his “dolce speme” — sweet hope.
And then comes the heart of the serenade:
“Rendi men crudo, oh Dio,
lo stral che mi ferì.”
Oh, make less cruel
the arrow that has wounded me.
The “arrow” is Cupid’s arrow — the traditional image of suddenly falling in love. Almaviva is telling Rosina that love has already struck him, and only she can ease the wound.
What to listen for
Rossini gives Almaviva music that is elegant, light and full of youthful anticipation.
The coloratura is not there simply to show off the tenor’s technique. The quick, graceful phrases capture the excitement of a young man standing beneath a window, hoping that the woman he loves will finally appear.
It is a beautiful beginning to the opera: dawn is breaking, Almaviva is waiting, Rosina is just beyond the window —
and the comedy has not even begun.