Largo al factotum — Rossini — L. Norman

Largo al factotum Figaro's aria from Rossini's opera The Barber of Seville (Il barbiere di Siviglia) Czech Symphony Orchestra & Julian Bigg Sung by Logan Norman ~ In this aria, the character of Figaro, a servant of the Count Almaviva, sings of his happy life as the "factotum" of the town. The word "factotum", though directly translatable from Italian (or from Latin), is rarely used in contemporary English and has instead been rendered here as "handyman", implying something equivalent to a jack-of-all-trades, or one whose profession involves an eclectic array of tasks. As is evident from the opera's title, however, the role of barber is Figaro's favourite. This aria is of course one of the best-known in all of opera, and has thoroughly permeated popular culture, notably in classic cartoons like The Woody Woodpecker Show, Looney Tunes (depicted here is Bugs Bunny as the "Rabbit of Seville"), and the film Mrs. Doubtfire, starring the very talented Robin Williams who sang the aria himself. ~ Italian libretto by Cesare Sterbini: Largo al factotum della città. Presto a bottega che l'alba è già. Ah, che bel vivere, che bel piacere per un barbiere di qualità! Ah, bravo Figaro! Bravo, bravissimo! Fortunatissimo per verità! Pronto a far tutto, la notte e il giorno sempre d'intorno in giro sta. Miglior cuccagna per un barbiere, vita più nobile, no, non si da. Rasori e pettini, lancette e forbici, al mio comando tutto qui sta. V'è la risorsa, poi, del mestiere colla donnetta ... col cavaliere ... Tutti mi chiedono, tutti mi vogliono, donne, ragazzi, vecchi, fanciulle: Qua la parrucca ... Presto la barba ... Qua la sanguigna ... Presto il biglietto ... Figaro! Figaro! Figaro! Ahimè, che furia! Ahimè, che folla! Uno alla volta, per carità! Ehi, Figaro! Son qua. Figaro qua, Figaro là, Figaro su, Figaro giù. Pronto prontissimo son come il fulmine: sono il factotum della città. Ah, bravo Figaro! Bravo, bravissimo; a te fortuna non mancherà. Sono il factotum della città! ~ English adaptation by Natalia Macfarren (with minor alterations of my own): I'm the handyman of all the town, make way! Quick now to business, morning hath shown, 'tis day. Oh, 'tis a charming life, brimful of pleasure, That of a barber, used to high life. No one can vie with the brilliant Figaro, no, none. Always in luck where good fortune is rife. Well done! Early and late, for all who require me, Nothing can tire me. Of all the professions that can be mentioned, That of a barber is best of all. Scissors in hand, 'mongst my combs and my razors, I stand at the door, when customers call. Then there are cases, quite diplomatic, Here damsel sighing, there swain ecstatic. I am in such request, nor night nor day I've rest, Old men and maidens, matrons and gallants. "Have you my wig there?" "Quick here and shave me." "Bring me those leeches." "Run with this letter." Hey, Figaro, Figaro, Figaro! No more this clamour! I'll bear no longer! For pity's sake, speak one at a time! Hey, Figaro! I'm here. Figaro here, Figaro there, Figaro high, Figaro low. I'm indispensable, irreprehensible, I'm the handyman of all the town. Ah bravo, Figaro, bravo, bravissimo, Thou art a favourite of Fortune. I'm the handyman of all the town!