Overview

Synopsis

A hilarious farce, Così fan tutte revolved around a bet made among three men; Don Alfonso, the older and more cynical of the bunch, bets Ferrando and Guglielmo that he can prove that their girlfriends, Fiordiligi and Dorabella, are unfaithful like all women. Don Alfonso, with the help of Despina, the girls’ maid, sets up the plot to pretend to send the men off to war, but then disguise them as “Albanians” in the attempts to seduce the other man’s girlfriend. After many comical struggles, and absurd tricks, Despina and Alfonso succeed in duping the quartet and putting the two couples into situations where they are forced to decide. Both girls agree to marry the “Albanians,” and Fiordiligi and Ferrando have appeared to have fallen in love, when it is announced that their old boyfriends have returned home. The men reveal themselves, and the ladies ask for their forgiveness. Alfonso wins the bet and gloats, hoping that they have all learned their lesson.

Show Information

Category
Opera
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
1790
Genres
Comedy, Farce, Romance
Settings
Multiple Settings, Simple/No Set, Unit/Single Set
Time & Place
Late 18th-century Naples, unfolding in a refined, seaside villa where love and loyalty are put to the test.
Cast Size
small
Orchestra Size
Medium
Dancing
None
Ideal For
Chamber Opera, College/University, Ensemble Cast, Mature Audiences, Professional Opera, Professional Theatre, Includes Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult, Child, Early Teen, Late Teen Characters, Small Cast

Context

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Fiordiligi

Lead

Female

Soprano

Ferrando

Lead

Male

Tenor

Dorabella

Lead

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Guglielmo

Lead

Male

Bass

Despina

Supporting

Female

Soprano

Don Alfonso

Supporting

Male

Bass

Chorus

Ensemble

Either Gender

Songs

Act I

Act II

A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number.

Monologues

All monologues are the property and copyright of their owners.. Monologues are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this monologue, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

    An aria is a solo vocal piece in an opera or oratorio that showcases the singer’s range and emotional expression. It is typically performed with orchestral accompaniment and often marks a moment of reflection or emotional climax.

    Farce is a comedic style that emphasizes exaggerated situations, improbable coincidences, mistaken identities, and rapid pacing. It often includes physical humor such as slamming doors, frantic chases, or characters hiding in plain sight. Farce is designed to generate nonstop laughter, often prioritizing chaos and absurdity over realistic storytelling.

    A comedic form of opera that developed in the 18th century, featuring everyday characters and humorous plots. It contrasts with the more serious opera seria.

    A style of vocal delivery in opera where the singer adopts the rhythms of ordinary speech. It advances plot between arias and provides narrative context.

    Recognizable character types used across theatrical traditions, such as the fool, villain, or ingenue.

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Guide Written By:

Jason Engleman

Jason Engleman

Humming show tunes day and night.