The Rover

During Carnival in Naples, anything can happen, especially when it comes to love. Florinda, a Spanish noblewoman, is in love with Belvile, an English cavalier who once saved her life. But her brother Don Pedro believes that Florinda should marry his best friend, the son of the Viceroy of Naples, Don Antonio. While Don Pedro goes out with his friends to celebrate Carnival, Florinda’s sister Hellena convinces the despondent woman to dress up in costume and go out on the town in celebration--she might have a chance encounter with Belvile along the way! Belvile, an exiled Royalist, surrounded by his friends, pines for Florinda, and as Hellena predicted, the ladies encounter the English during the celebrations. Hellena, looking for some fun before she takes her vows at the convent, is attracted to Willmore, the rover and a scoundrel. But in addition to flirting with Hellena, Willmore also captures the attention of the beautiful courtesan Angellica Bianca--a woman desired by both Don Pedro and Don Antonio. Toss in disguises and mistaken identities, a few sword fights, and a wench with a trap door, and this will indeed be an interesting night! First performed in 1677, The Rover is a comic romp of love and lust in Restoration-era Italy.