The Barber of Seville is based on the first of Beaumarchais‘ (1732- 1799) two sequential plays, The Marriage of Figaro being the second, although unusually the overture does not contain any themes from the ensuing opera. The music, however, is sparkling and tuneful encompassing the ‘spirit‘ of the story that is about to unfold. The overture follows the form of the classic Italian style, with a slow introduction followed by a brilliant Allegro. Of course, the famous crescendo, so typical of R...