DOWNLOAD

ROSSINI – Figaro for Five {based on the aria from the opera ‘The Barber of Seville} – 5 CELLOS

Other Identification:
Rossini’s Barber of Seville has proven to be one of the greatest masterpieces of comedy within music, and has been described as the opera buffa of all “opere buffe”. After two hundred years, it remains a popular work. The première of the opera (under the title Almaviva, o sia L’inutile precauzione) took place on 20th February 1816 at the Teatro Argentina, Rome.

Movements or sections:
“Largo al factotum” (Make way for the factotum) is an aria from the opera, sung at the first entrance of the title character; the term “factotum” refers to a general servant and comes from Latin where it literally means “do everything”. Due to the constant singing of triplets in 6/8 meter at an allegro vivace tempo, the piece is often noted as one of the most difficult baritone arias to perform. This, along with the tongue-twisting nature of some of the lines, insisting on Italian superlatives (always ending in “-issimo”), have made it a pièce de résistance in which a skilled baritone has the chance to highlight all of his qualities.

Instrumentation:
QUINTET OF FDIVE CELLOS
Also possible (though extra difficult) with a larger cello ensemble
Arranged by David Johstone

2 PDFs:
1] – General Score
2] – All individual parts

Approximate difficulty:
The repeated “Figaro”s before the final patter section are an icon in popular culture of operatic singing, but however which is not included in this arrangement, titled as “Figaro for Five” so as to be somewhat more set in a ‘chamber music’ environment rather than be presented as an operatic virtuoso miniature. However, having said that, it is fairly hard on cello and should only be attempted by cellists with a certain control to their ‘spiccato’ stroke, or used by players wishing to achieve this! This is highlighted because the bowing arm is of greater difficulty than the left-hand fingering, which on the whole should not be too difficult for medium-to-advanced performers. It is conceived for five solo players playing as a quintet, but there is no restriction whatsoever to the piece being attempted by a larger cello orchestra.

Go back to this section and continue searching for more music

Go to COLLECTION POINT to receive all selected items

Poster of Johnstone-Music

Who plays Johnstone-Music?

Johnstone Music has been performed by orchestras and conservatories worldwide, earning international recognition in cello repertoire.

Free sheet music

Instantly download a wide variety of scores – from cello solos and chamber works to orchestral parts and educational material