COSÌ FAN TUTTE

ACT I 
Scene One - A café
Two military officers, Guglielmo and Ferrando, extol the virtues of their fiancées, sisters Fiordiligi and Dorabella. They claim that these women could never be unfaithful. An older man, Don 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 money they are sure to win. 

Scene Two - A garden near the sea
Fiordiligi and Dorabella gaze into lockets containing images of their fiancés. Alfonso tells them that Ferrando and Guglielmo must leave for war, at the men depart, the girls weep.

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. Alfonso bribes Despina to help in his game. Ferrando and Guglielmo enter, disguised as Albanians. The presence of the strange men terrifies the girls, but Alfonso explains they are his friends. The men flirt, and are spurned. Claiming victory, they laugh, but Alfonso says the game is far from over.

Scene Four - Another part of the garden
As the women weep for their missing lovers, the "Albanians" stagger in, downing vials of supposed arsenic. 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 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 II
Scene One - A room
Despina tells the sisters to start acting like women and encourages them to be worldly. They are intrigued, and each chooses one of the "Albanians." 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. Prodding the girls to encourage the men, he and Despina group the four together. Guglielmo and Dorabella quickly declare their love. Ferrando continues his threats of suicide, but Fiordiligi remains unmovable. When she is alone she admits her desire for him. 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 tells them he is still not finished. 

Scene Three - A room
Fiordiligi admits she's in love. Dorabella consoles her but Fiordiligi decides that they must go off to find their soldiers. Ferrando comes in to make his final plea for Fiordiligi's love. She finally agrees to marry him. Guglielmo, over-hearing 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 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 soldiers' march 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.  

World Premiere: BURGTHEATER, VIENNA, JANUARY 26, 1790