Cosi Fan Tutte

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Synopsis/plot

Following is a plot synopsis and brief history of Mozart's opera Cosi fan Tutte, ossia La scuola degli amanti. The title "Così fan tutte" is roughly translated as "All Women are like that". Cosi fan tutte opera, K. 588, is classified as a dramma giocoso and opera buffa. The theme deals with womens fickleness and infidelity. Elizabeth Harmetz appeared as the maid Despina in Chiari, Italy and in 2010 with the Los Angeles Metropolitan Opera.

HISTORY:

The opera was written and composed at the suggestion of the Emperor Joseph II, the libretto was originally intended to be set to music by Mozart's colleague, and Imperial court composer, Antonio Salieri who completed only parts of the first act and then broke off his work, supposedly due to the themes of sexual infidelity.

The first performance of Mozart's Cosi fan tutte opera took place at the Burgtheater in Vienna on January 26, 1790.

Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, K.588 (1756 - 1791)
Librettist: Lorenzo da Ponte (1749 - 1838)

PLOT SYNOPSIS:

Place: Naples.
Time: 18th century.

ACT I

In the morning, Ferrando and Guglielmo joyously proclaim the eternal faithfulness of their beloved sweethearts Dorabella and Fiordiligi. Don Alfonso overhears and wagers that if given a day, and they do everything he tells them, he can prove their sweethearts affections are fickle (as all women are.) They challenge that Don Alfonso's assertion is wrong and enter the wager on their beloved's constant affections.

While the two sisters are comparing their men, Don Alfonso enters and brings news that the two officers have been ordered away. Ferrando and Guglielmo bid a reluctant farewell (quintet: Sento, o Dio, che questo piedo è restio—"I feel, oh God, that my foot is reluctant"). As the boat sets sail the grief-stricken sisters and Don Alfonso wish them a gentle voyage (trio: Soave sia il vento—"May the wind be gentle".) Alfonso alone, gloats on his certain winnings (arioso: Oh, poverini, per femmina giocar cento zecchini?—"Oh, poor little ones, to wager 100 sequins on a woman").

Dorabella bemoans the torment of having been left alone (aria: Smanie implacabili—"Torments implacable"). Despina consoles then mocks the sisters, advising them to consider new lovers over old lovers (aria: In uomini, in soldati, sperare fedeltá?—"In men, in soldiers, you hope for faithfulness?"). The sisters exit scandalized at this suggestion. Don Alfonso bribes Despina to help introduce new suitors to the sisters. Ferrando and Guglielmo return disguised as Albanians and attempt to seduce each others' fiancee. The sisters are alarmed at the presence of strange men in their home. Guglielmo tries to woo by pointing out his manly attributes (aria: Non siate ritrosi—"Don't be shy"), but to no avail (aria: Come Scoglio—"Like a rock"). Ferrando, alone, amorously praises his love (aria: Un aura amorosa—"A loving breath").

As the sisters pine in the garden, the disguised men burst in and threaten to poison themselves if they are not allowed the chance to woo their loves. Alfonso attempts to intervene but the men, unrequited, drink the poison and pass out. Despina is called an she urges the sisters to attend to the men while she gets a doctor. Despina returns disguised as a doctor, who, through use of a large magnet, revives the love-stricken men. The revived men demand a kiss of the goddesses who stand before them. Fiordiligi and Dorabella waver as Despina and Alfonso watch.

Act II.

In the afternoon, Despina urges the sisters to choose between the men and each pick the others fiance (aria: Una donna a quindici anni—"A fifteen year old woman"). Dorabella confesses that she is tempted but Fiordiligi remains steadfast (duet: Prenderó quel brunettino"—"You take the darker one").

In the garden, Dorabella and the disguised Guglielmo pair off, as do the other two. After an awkward serenade, Ferrando departs with Fiordiligi. Guglielmo succeeds in wooing Dorabella and she surrenders Ferrando's portrait in exchange for a heart-shaped charm (duet: Il core vi dono—"I give you my heart"). Ferrando is less successful with Fiordiligi (Ferrando's aria: Ah, lo veggio—"Ah, I see it," and Fiordiligi's aria: Per pietá, ben mio, perdona—"Please, my beloved, forgive"), and he is enraged to discover Guglielmo has been so quickly successful. Guglielmo at first sympathizes with Ferrando (aria: Donne mie, la fate a tanti—"My ladies, you do it to so many") but then gloats, as his fiance is faithful.

In the sister's room Dorabella admits her indiscretion to Fiordiligi (É amore un ladroncello—"Is love a little thief"). Fiordiligi, upset, decides they must leave and join their departed lovers. Before she can leave, Ferrando arrives and continues his seduction. Fiordiligi finally gives in (duet: Tra gli amplessi—"In the embraces"). Guglielmo is distraught and after a little gloating from Ferrando, they both wish to call off the wager. Alfonso tells the men to forgive their fiancees and continue the wager. After all: Cosi fan tutte—"All women are like that." The title phrase is sung by the three male singers.

The final scene begins as a double wedding for the sisters and their disguised grooms. Despina, in disguise as a notary, presents the marriage contract, which all sign. Directly thereafter, military music is heard indicating the return of the officers. The sisters urge the notary and their newlyweds to hide while they confront their past lovers. Don Alfonso let slip the marriage and the two men discover the notary hiding. The crest-fallen sisters admit their indiscretion and beg forgiveness. The men reveal their deception, Despina is revealed as the notary, and the sisters realize they have been duped. All is forgiven, as the entire group praises the ability to accept the fickleness of life.

DRAMATIS PERSONAE / CHARACTERS / PERSONAGGI:

Fiordiligi and Dorabella, sisters (Soprano, Mezzo Soprano)
Guglielmo, officer and fiancée of Fiordiligi (Baritone)
Ferrando, officer and fiancée of Dorabella (Tenor)
Despina, sister's chambermaid (Soubrette Soprano)
Don Alfonso, philosopher (Bass)
Soldiers, servants, wedding attendants, others

SONG AND RECITATIVE LIST:

Overture

ACT I:


No.1- Terzetto : La mia Dorabella - Fuor la spada
No.2 - Terzetto : E la fede delle femmine
(Recitativo) Scioccherie di poeti!
No.3 - Terzetto : Una bella serenata
No. 4 Duetto : Ah, guarda, sorella -
(Recitativo) Mi par che stamattina
No. 5 Aria : Vorrei dir, e cor no ho -
(Recitativo) Stelle! Per carita, signor Alfonso
No.6 Quintetto: Sento, oh Dio, che questo piede
(Recitativo) Non piangere, idol mio!
No. 7 Duettino: Al fato dan legge
(Recitativo) La Commedia e graziosa
No. 8 Coro : Bella vita militar!
(Recitativo) Non v'e piu tempo
No.9 Quintetto : Di scrivermi ogni giorno - Coro - Bella vita militar!
(Recitativo) Dove son?
No.10 Terzettino: Soave sia il vento
(Recitativo) Non son cattivo comico
(Recitativo) Che vita maldetta - Madame, ecco la vostra colazione
No. 10 Terzettino - Ah, scostati!
No. 12 Aria - In uomini, in soldati
(Recitativo) Che silenzo!
No.13 Sestetto - Alla bella Despinetta
(Recitativo) Che sussurro! Che strepito!
No. 13 Sestetto - Stelle! Che ardir!
No. 14 Aria - come scoglio - Ah, non partite
No.15 Aria - Non siate ritrosi
No. 16 Terzetto - E voi ridete?
(Recitativo) Si puo sapere un poco
No. 17 Aria - Un'aura amorosa
(Recitativo) Ho, la saria da ridere!
No. 18 Finale I - Ah, che tutta in un momento
No. 18 Finale I - Si mora, si, si mora
No. 18 Finale I - Eccovi il medico
No. 18 Finale I - Dove son?
No. 18 Finale I - Dammi un bacio

ACT II:

(Recitativo) Andate la
No. 19 Aria - Una donna a quindici anni
(Recitativo) Sorell, cosa dici?
No. 19 Duetto - Prendero quel brunettino
(Recitativo) Ah, correte al giardino
No. 21 Duetto con coro - Secondate, aurette amiche
(Recitativo) Il tutto deponete
No. 22 Quaretto - La mano a me date
(Recitativo) Oh che bella giornata!
No. 23 Duetto - Il core vi dono
No. 23 Duetto - Barbara! Perche fuggi?
No. 24 Aria - Ah, lo veggio
(Recitativo) Ei parte...senti...ah no!
No. 25 Rondo - Per pieta, ben mio, perdona
(Recitativo) Amico, Abbiamo Vinto !
No. 26 Aria - Donna Mie, La Fate A Tanti
No. 26 Aria - ( Recitativo) In Qual Fiero Contrasto
No. 27 Cavatina - Tradito, Schernito - Bravo, Questa È Constanza
No. 27 Cavatina - Ora Vedo Che Siete
No. 28 Aria - È Amore Un Ladroncello
No. 28 Aria - Come Tutto Congiura - - L'abito di Ferrando
No. 29 Duetto - Fra Gli Amplessi In Pochi Stanti
No. 29 Duetto - Oh Poveretto Me
No. 30 Andante - Tutti Accusan Le Donne - Vittoria, Padroncini
No. 30 Finale - Fate Presto, O Cari Amici
No. 30 Finale - Benedetti I Doppi Coniugi
No. 30 Finale - E Nel Tuo, Nel Mio Bicchiero
No. 30 Finale - Miel Signori, Tutto È Fatto
No. 30 Finale - Sani E Salvi
No. 30 Finale - Ah, Signor, Son Rea Di Morte

 

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