What is and where does the phrase "vigaro" come from in opera music?

by Saxophoneoftime

I'm not sure if it's spelled right, but that's what it sounds like. It seems like the stereotypical opera lyric where that's what's always sung if someone or a character in a work wants to sing in an opera style. What are its origins and why did it catch on? Thanks.

caffarelli

Figaro! :) The word is "Figaro!" and it is a line from the baritone aria "Largo al factotum" from Rossini's Barber of Seville. He hits your line about 3:20. He's Figaro, he's singing to himself, pretending people are calling his name demanding his various services. Hard to say why that's the one people reach more for than others, other than it's a very very popular opera, and that's probably the most memorable aria from it... Also, most men are in a baritone range so it sits well for the voices of a lot of people who may wish to be silly, and it's not a very hard aria to give a go, the Italian is also very Italian 201 level stuff. Also Bugs Bunny sang it.