The operatic concept of the breeches role assumes that the character is male: a female opera character who dresses in male clothing to deceive other characters, in other words who plays a woman pretending to be a man, is not considered a breeches role.
The character is male: a female opera character. This is what the operatic concept of the breeches role assumes. Dresses in male clothing to deceive other characters is not considered a breeches role this female opera character. This was in other words. These other words plays a woman. This woman is pretending to be a man.