Who was the Barber of Seville?

Visit to the Cathedral where the tomb of Columbus rests, flamenco show, pools and fountains of Maria Luisa Park.

Quick Tips:

Comfy shoes are a must for a walking tour through these places. Remember that some churches are still in use and dress accordingly. No tank tops or shorts!!

Best Way To Get Around:

We were on a Globus bus tour, and when we weren't on the bus, we were on foot.

Imagine my surprise to check into this hotel and find out it was the same hotel I stayed in the last time I was in Sevilla! Very comfy rooms, with two double beds, superior first class!

The Cathedral is the largest in Spain, third largest in the Christian world after St. Peter's in Rome and St. Paul's in London. The Cathedral was built on the site of the largest mosque in Seville, which was demolished in the 15th century so that the Cathedral could be built.
To each side of the main entrance stand the tombs of King Alfonso the Wise and his mother, Beatrice of Swabia.
About halfway down the right side is the tomb of Columbus. The figures bearing the coffin represent the kingdoms of Castille, Navarre, Aragon, and Leon. It was to Seville that Columbus returned on Palm Sunday, 1494, after discovering the New World.
(acknowledgement to 'Walks of Europe: Seville', which I picked up in the entry of the Cathedral)

Very loud, lots of stomping!!
Gorgeous people, gorgeous costumes, very fine group who have won many national flamenco prizes. Daily performances of about 90 minutes with authentic Andalusian dances.

IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA
Music by Gioachino Rossini
Libretto by Cesare Sterbini after the play by Pierre Caron de Beaumarchais
Premiere: Teatro Argentina, Rome, 20 February 1816
CHARACTERS
Fiorello (baritone); Count Almaviva (tenor); Figaro (baritone); Dr. Bartolo (bass); Ambrogio (actor); Rosina (mezzo-soprano); Don Basilio (bass); Berta (mezzo-soprano); An official Magistrate, a Notary, Soldiers, Musicians.
ACT I
Count Almaviva, with a band of musicians, serenades Rosina outside the house of her guardian and fiancé, Dr. Bartolo. When Rosina fails to respond to the Count's song, he pays the musicians and sends them away. He hides as Figaro, the barber, approaches and boasts of his busy life as the neighborhood 'jack-of-all-trades.' Though currently in the employ of Bartolo, Figaro promises to help Almaviva win Rosina. Almaviva resumes his serenade, pretending to be 'Lindoro,' a destitute student who can offer her only his love. Rosina appears and replies that she will take him as he is, but she is suddenly interrupted. Figaro suggests that the Count might gain access to the house by disguising himself as a soldier. Figaro anticipates the reward that awaits him for his assistance. The next scene finds Rosina dreaming of Lindoro. She decides to oppose Bartolo by whatever means necessary. Figaro joins her, but they rush away at the sound of footsteps. Bartolo, aware of Almaviva's interest in his ward, enters with the music master Basilio, who suggests slandering the Count's reputation. Figaro overhears this plot, warns Rosina that Bartolo plans to marry her the following day, and promises to take a letter to Lindoro. There is a knock at the door, and Berta, the maid, returns with Almaviva, disguised as a drunken soldier in search of a night's lodging. The commotion attracts a large crowd, and soldiers arrive to quell the disturbance. When Almaviva is arrested, he reveals his true identity to the officer in charge, and is released. Bartolo is stupefied by the trickery. Figaro makes sport of all amid the general confusion.
ACT II
Bartolo welcomes a new music teacher, Don Alonso (really the Count, again in disguise), who says he is replacing the ailing Basilio. Rosina quickly recognizes her suitor, and the singing lesson begins. Figaro arrives to give Bartolo a shave, meanwhile managing to steal the balcony key. Basilio enters, obviously in good health, but a bribe from the Count convinces him to feign illness, and he leaves. While Figaro shaves Bartolo, the Count and Rosina plan their elopement that night. Bartolo overhears them and drives Almaviva from the house and Rosina to her room. During a violent thunderstorm, Bartolo sends Basilio to fetch a notary. He then convinces Rosina that her suitor Lindoro is really a servant of Almaviva sent to abduct her on behalf of the scheming count. When Lindoro (the Count) and Figaro arrive to get Rosina, she at first rejects her suitor, but then falls into his arms when she learns that he and the Count are one and the same person. Basilio enters with the notary, and the outwitted Bartolo bestows his blessing on the happy couple.
(from NYCOPERA.COM)
So...remember that song that goes...'Figaro, Figaro, Figaro'? Well, it's from THIS opera, first performed in 1816!