Opera Synopsis—

Cosi fan tutte

by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Place: Naples
Time: The 18th century

Act I

Scene 1: Guglielmo, Ferrando, and Don Alfonso are discussing women. Alfonso insists that women are fickle, and the two young men protest, saying their fiancées will always be faithful. Alfonso wagers he can prove their unfaithfulness as long as the pair will do everything he says for the next twenty-four hours.
 
Scene 2: Sisters Fiordiligi and Dorabella are describing the wonderful qualities of their boyfriends, Guglielmo and Ferrando. Alfonso interrupts to tell them that the two soldiers have been called off to war, and Guglielmo and Ferrando appear to bid them a sad farewell.
 
Scene 3: Despina, the maid, is consoling the two sisters, suggesting that all men are alike and just as unfaithful as the next. The sisters leave the room to weep some more. Alfonso enters and asks Despina to help him introduce new suitors to the sisters, and then brings in two “Albanian” noblemen (Ferrando and Guglielmo in disguise). When the girls return, they are courted by the Albanians. Fiordiligi firmly states that no other men shall enter their lonely lives and that they will remain faithful forever. As the girls leave, their lovers are elated, but Alfonso reminds them that the day is not over yet.
 
Scene 4: In the garden Fiordiligi and Dorabella are interrupted by the two men. Each has a vial of “poison” which they drink, swearing to die if the girls will not love them. Alfonso rushes in and sends Despina for a doctor. Despina reenters disguised as the wise Doctor Fatalis, who revives the two men using a giant magnet.

Act II

Scene 1: Despina tries to persuade the girls to accept these two new lovers and each picks the other’s suitor, just as Alfonso planned.
 
Scene 2: Fiordiligi and Ferrando decide to walk through the gardens, leaving Guglielmo and Dorabella alone. Guglielmo manages to remove a locket given to Dorabella by Ferrando, replacing it with a new charm. The two men discuss their success with Alfonso and agree that while Ferrando has not made much headway, Alfonso has won half of the wager.
 
Scene 3: Despina helps Dorabella try to persuade Fiordiligi to give in, but Fiordiligi decides they should disguise themselves as officers and join their lovers in battle. Ferrando appears and wins her over. At first the two young men are shocked by the outcome of this experiment, but Alfonso convinces them to marry the girls anyway.
 
Scene 4: Alfonso and Despina arrange the wedding feast and the marriage agreement is signed. Just then the regimental drums are heard, heralding the return of Ferrando and Guglielmo. The Albanians dash off and then return dressed as themselves to discover the signed wedding agreement. Alfonso sends them off and, after a few moments, they return again dressed as the Albanians. After some sarcastic remarks and the return of Ferrando’s locket, all is forgiven. They all agree that life is full of changes and it is best to live it one day at a time.