"Largo al factotum" from Rossini's The Barber of Seville. In this video, the mayhem of Figaro the Barber's daily routine is recounted by Keith Phares in BLO's 2002 production in a visual tribute to absurdist painter René Magritte, with a nod to Monty Python's iconic animations.

English Translation:

FIGARO:
I’m the factotum of the town
All things to all people
Off to the shop ... dawn is breaking
What a charmed life … what a pleasurable existence All that is the reward due to a barber of such high quality

Bravo Figaro … superb … the very best
Well done, Figaro

Ready for anything … night and day
Never tired ... always on call
The role of a barber is the greatest joy

Scissors , razors, combs at the ready
But there are other affairs to be dealt with

Everyone asked for me … everyone needs me Old men and maidens … matrons and gallants “Where’s my wig” “Quick, I must have a shave”
“I need a pill” “Deliver with this love note”
“Figaro”… “Figaro”… ”Figaro”

Please no more shouting… speak one at a time “Hey, Figaro” “Here I am”
Figaro here… Figaro there
Figaro up… Figaro down

Indispensable… irrepressible
Bravo Figaro… bravo… bravissimo
Blessed by good fortune… and a blessing in turn to all the town

With the Boston Lyric Opera Orchestra.

For more information about the artists, visit blo.org/retro/.

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