Act II: Doctor Bartolos Study
Alone in Doctor Bartolos study, Rosina is putting the finishing touches on a letter to her Lindoro. Figaro arrives and hides when Bartolo enters. Bartolo is joined by his accomplice, Don Basilio, an unprincipled intriguer, who doubles as Rosinas singing teacher. Basilio reports that Count Almaviva, whom they suspect is interested in Rosina, has arrived in Seville, and proposes to discredit him as a suitor by spreading malicious gossip. Bartolo prefers immediate action, and goes off with Basilio to draw up a marriage contract.
Figaro and Rosina are left alone at last. Rosina wants to know more about the stranger who has serenaded her. Figaro says he is only a poor student, but head over heels in love with her. Rosina is overjoyed to learn that her admirer will come that day to visit, and gives Figaro her letter to deliver.
Bartolo returns. His suspicions are aroused by the evidence that Rosina has been writing a letter. He vows to have her watched day and night to guarantee her innocence.
Count Almaviva arrives in his drunken soldier disguise. A furious quarrel with Bartolo develops during which Rosina and the Count manage to exchange a few furtive signals. Figaros attempts to calm things down are ineffective, and the tumult is finally interrupted by the arrival of the police. The officer in charge is about to arrest the Count, but backs off when the Count takes him aside and secretly reveals his identity. Everyone freezes in amazement at the apparently inexplicable change in behavior by the police, and then explodes into confusion.

Act III: The Music Room
In another attempt to communicate with Rosina, Count Almaviva has adopted a new disguise. Claiming to be a substitute teacher sent by Basilio, the Count persuades Bartolo to let him give Rosina her singing lesson, but only after he allays Bartolos suspicions by giving him Rosinas note as proof that he is really on Bartolos side. Figaro helps out by insisting on shaving Bartolo, so the lovers can have a few more unobserved minutes together, and manages to steal the key to Rosinas room in the process. The ruse is almost given away when Basilio arrives, but a timely bribe from the Count persuades him to play along. Eventually Bartolo manages to overhear enough to get a sense of what is going on, and in a rage he chases the conspirators out.
Determined now to marry Rosina at once, Bartolo sends Basilio to get the notary. He calls in Rosina and, using her note, convinces her that Lindoro and the barber are planning to sell her to the Count Almaviva. Hurt and betrayed, Rosina agrees to marry Bartolo immediately. He goes for the police, intending to have the conspirators arrested when they come for Rosina.
As a furious storm rages, Figaro and the Count climb into the house through Rosinas balcony. Rosina confronts them with their perfidy. However, once the Count reveals that he and Lindoro are the same person, Rosina joyously agrees to marry him. Basilio arrives with the notary; his objections to the marriage are quickly silenced with another bribe. When Bartolo returns with the police it is too late. Rosina and Count Almaviva have signed the marriage contract.