BASILIO
Slander is a little breeze,
a gentle zephyr,
which imperceptibly, subtly,
lightly and sweetly,
begins to whisper.
Softly, softly, here and there,
quietly, hissing, it flows, it swirls.
It nimbly slides into people’s ears,
confuses their minds
and swells their brains.
Emerging from a mouth
the chatter grows,
and little by little gathers force,
already flying from place to place;
It’s like thunder, a storm
in the depths of the forest
which comes whistling and rumbling,
and freezes you in horror.
Finally it overflows and bursts out,
it spreads, it multiplies,
and explodes like a cannon shot,
an earthquake, a tornado,
uproar all around,
booming through the air.
And the poor slandered wretch,
Is vilified, trampled,
pilloried by the public,
until, with luck, he dies.
The Barber of Seville is one of Gioachino Rossini's best known works. The original Beaumarchais play on which it's based was considered revolutionary in giving a servant agency in the world and lives of his 'betters'.
Figaro, the barber, comes to the aid of Count Almaviva (disguised as a poor student, Lindoro) to help him win the hand and heart of the young and beautiful Rosina. Rosina's guardian, Doctor Bartolo, aided by the music teacher, Basilio, has designs on his ward, but is ultimately thwarted by Figaro's machinations and Rosina's quick-witted tricks.