Così fan tutte Synopsis

The action takes place in Naples in the 18th century

Act One

Scene One – A café
Two young military officers, Guglielmo and Ferrando, extol the virtues of their fiancées, sisters Fiordiligi and Dorabella. They claim that these well brought-up young women could never be unfaithful. An older man, Don Alfonso, laughs at their naiveté. Alfonso wagers he can prove all women are unfaithful.  Accepting the bet, the men swear to follow Alfonso’s instructions as they plan how to spend the gold they are sure they will win.

Scene Two – A garden near the sea
Fiordiligi and Dorabella, gazing into lockets containing images of their fiancés, are carried away by how handsome they are. Don Alfonso enters to tell them that Ferrando and Guglielmo must leave immediately for war, and at parting, the girls weep, the men console, and Alfonso mocks. As a boat leaves to take Guglielmo and Ferrando away to military service, the women and Alfonso wish for fair winds.

Scene Three – A room
Dorabella and Fiordiligi’s maid, Despina, prepares the sisters’ morning chocolate. They ask for poison instead, since their fiancés have left for battle. Despina tells them to amuse themselves, as there are always other lovers. Alfonso arrives and bribes Despina to help in his game. Ferrando and Guglielmo enter, now disguised as Albanians. The presence of the strange men terrifies the girls, but Alfonso explains that they are his friends. The men flirt, but Fiordiligi spurns them, claiming her fidelity is as strong as a rock. Guglielmo is persistent and brags of his and Ferrando’s good looks, causing the ladies to leave in anger. Claiming victory, the men laugh, but Alfonso says the game is not over. As Ferrando describes his love for Dorabella, a new plot is planned by Alfonso.

Scene Four – Another part of the garden
As the women weep for their missing lovers, the “Albanians” stagger in, downing vials of supposed arsenic to free them from their despair at the girls’ rejection. When the ladies cry for help, Despina suggests they comfort the dying men, then leaves to fetch a doctor. The doctor (Despina in disguise) enters and with “Mesmer’s Magnetic Stone” revives the men who resume their wooing. Even though they are coached by Despina and Alfonso to take pity on the men, Fiordiligi and Dorabella once again reject them.

Intermission

Act Two

Scene One – A room
Despina scolds the sisters and tells them to start acting like women.  She encourages them to be worldly, to flirt, and to have fun. They are stunned yet intrigued, and each chooses one of the “Albanians.” Unknowingly Fiordiligi chooses Dorabella’s fiancé, Ferrando, and Dorabella chooses Guglielmo, Fiordiligi’s fiancé.

Scene Two – A garden near the sea
Alfonso has contrived a romantic setting for the two couples, and brings the sisters to the garden. Prodding the girls to encourage the men, he and Despina group the four together. Guglielmo and Dorabella pair up, flirt and quickly declare their love. Ferrando continues his threats of suicide but Fiordiligi remains unmovable. Alone, she admits her shame and her desire for Ferrando. The men tease each other and compare their trysts. Ferrando fumes at Dorabella’s infidelity and Guglielmo decries the fickleness of women. Ferrando maintains his love for Dorabella and Guglielmo demands his winnings, but Alfonso asks for one more test.

Scene Three – A room
Blaming Despina and Dorabella, Fiordiligi admits she’s in love. Dorabella consoles her by claiming love is like a little thief, but Fiordiligi decides that they must go off and find their soldiers. Ferrando comes in to make his final plea for Fiordiligi’s love. She finally gives in, and agrees to marry him. Guglielmo, overhearing them, becomes furious. As wedding plans have been made, Alfonso reminds the men of the premise of his bet: “All women are like this” or “Così fan tutte.”

A table is set for the wedding feast. The couples arrive and drink a toast to love. Alfonso returns announcing the arrival of the notary (again Despina in disguise) who performs the pseudo-marriage as strains of the soldier’s chorus disturb the signing of the nuptial contracts. Alfonso tells Fiordiligi and Dorabella that their sweethearts have returned from war. Panicked, the women hide the “Albanians.” The soldiers return and make the appropriate fuss at the signed contracts, but the ruse is revealed and all is forgiven.