Cosí fan tutte programme book 2023

SYNOPSIS
ACT I
Don Alfonso dismisses the naïveté of his
young friends Gugielmo and Ferrando. He
mocks their belief in the constancy of their
girlfriends, the sisters Fiordiligi and Dorabella.
To prove his point, Don Alfonso proposes a
bet, challenging the friends to test the loyalty
of their lovers. He advises Ferrando and
Guglielmo to pretend to go off to war. Later,
Don Alfonso surprises Fiordiligi and Dorabella
with news that their boyfriends must go to war
immediately. The sisters watch the military
boat sail away. Despina, a maid, encourages
the sisters to enjoy themselves while their
lovers are away. Don Alfonso enlists Despina’s
help and instructs her to introduce two suitors
disguised as strangers into the sisters’ home.
Fiordiligi and Dorabella are startled to find
unfamiliar men in their midst, especially when
the men start making wild declarations of
love. Don Alfonso declares that these men
are his old friends and urges the sisters to
entertain their advances. However, Fiordiligi
remains steadfast in her loyalty to Guglielmo.
The two disguised suitors then drink what
appears to be poison as a demonstration
of their desperate love. Don Alfonso and
Despina rush to find a doctor, leaving Fiordiligi
and Dorabella to care for the supposedly
dying men. A disguised doctor, who is actually
Despina, arrives to revive the suitors. As they
recover, the suitors declare their love for the
sisters even more ardently.
ACT II
Despina convinces Fiordiligi and Dorabella
that some recreational flirtation would help
pass the time. Dorabella chooses to engage
with the disguised Guglielmo, while Fiordiligi
selects the disguised Ferrando. Fiordiligi
takes a walk with Ferrando, while Guglielmo
pursues Dorabella. Dorabella eventually
succumbs to Guglielmo’s advances,
betraying her loyalty to Ferrando. Fiordiligi
continues to resist Ferrando and he leaves.
Devastated by the news of Dorabella’s
quick betrayal, Ferrando makes a second
attempt to break Fiordiligi’s resolve. Much
to Guglielmo’s horror, Fiordiligi finally gives
in to her desires. Despina orchestrates a
double wedding for the sisters and their new
lovers. A military chorus signifies the “return”
of Ferrando and Guglielmo from battle. The
suitors and the notary, again Despina in
disguise, hide as Ferrando and Guglielmo
appear in uniform, pretending to be surprised
by the cold reception they receive. When
they discover the marriage contract and the
notary, they swear revenge on their unfaithful
fiancées and their suitors. Finally, the men
reveal their trick and expect a reconciliation
with their original girlfriends.
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