The online opera guide to COSI FAN TUTTE
Get to know the Synopsis of the opera COSI FAN TUTTE by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. In a 4-minute film you will watch the most important actions. Enriched with role descriptions and informative illustrations.
OVERVIEW & DIRECT ACCESS
Content
♪ Synopsis in 4 minutes - YouTube Video
♪ Link to the opera portrait (with interesting informations, and great Youtube Videos)
♪ Top 7 Highlights of the opera
Libretto
♪ Act I (The bet- scene, The farewell-scene)
♪ Act II (The masquerade-Scene/ Marriage-scene)
The Synopsis of COSI FAN TUTTE in 4 minutes
The Opera Portrait to COSI FAN TUTTE
The link to the Opera Portrait with interesting facts and great YouTube Videos about COSI FAN TUTTE
The written Synopsis of COSI FAN TUTTE
The roles
Don Alfonso, An elderly philosopher
Guglielmo, Offizier
Ferrando, Offizier
Fiordiligi, Lady from Ferrara, Sister of Dorabella
Dorabella, Lady from Ferrara, Sister of Fiordiligi
Despina, Chambermaid to the ladies
Synopsis
Guglielmo and Ferrando, two officers of the Neapolitan Army, are in the coffee house. The old philosopher Don Alfonso sits at their table. The two young men rave about their fiancées and sing about their virtues and loyalty to them. Don Alfonso, made cynical by life, claims that no girl is ever faithful. The two young men are indignant and demand a duel. Alfonso offers them a bet, they only have to grant him one day. Guglielmo and Ferrando join in.
The two sisters Dorabella and Fiordiligi are in the garden. They rave about their fiancée and already imagine the wedding. Don Alfonso joins the ladies and, still in shock, tells them the terrible news that their fiancées have to go to war. Guglielmo and Ferrando join them. The two women are heartbroken and want to die. Triumphantly, the two men make Don Alfonso signs. Don Alfonso amuses himself deliciously. The two officers say goodbye to their fiancé.
Don Alfonso bribes the housekeeper Despina to take part in the game. Ferrando and Guglielmo enter dressed as Albanians and rave about the two beautiful ladies. Fiordiligi and Dorabella are indignant and want to throw the two strangers out of the house. Then Alfonso has the idea to welcome them as old acquaintances. But Fiordiligi explains her heart is as firm as a rock.
Guglielmo tries it out with Dorabella but doesn’t succeed with his advances on her. The two men triumph over the steadfastness of their fiancée.
Don Alfonso and Despina don’t give up. The philosopher has an idea: The two Albanians pretend to take poison out of desperation because of the unrequited love. Before the eyes of the women they swallow arsenic. The summoned Despina, disguised as a doctor, saves the two. This suicide attempt touches the two women, but they are not (yet) ready to accept the kisses of the rescued men.
Despina is in the room with the two women and explains to them how to wrap men around their fingers. Dorabella, already fickle, doesn’t see any breach of faith if you just have a good time instead of dying of boredom. It quickly becomes apparent that both already have their favourites.
In the garden, the two men give a serenade to their beloved. Dorabella is the first to become weak. Guglielmos courting shows effect, and quietly he regrets his friend Ferrando.
Ferrando also tries his luck. But Fiordiligi remains steadfast. Guglielmo was able to exchange Ferrando’s amulet with his own at Dorabella’s and is delighted about the faithfulness of his Fiordiligi. Ferrando is devastated. Jealousy and revenge eat him up. Meanwhile, Fiordiligi confesses to Dorabella that she has fallen in love. However, she wants to remain steadfast despite this. But at the next rendez-vous she also becomes weak when Ferrando pretends to be on the verge to kill himself with the dagger. She finally surrenders to the courting Albanian. This time it’s up to Guglielmo to get angry with his fiancée.
There’s nothing to stop them from getting married. Alfonso arranges a double wedding with Despina disguised as a notary. As soon as the ink under the marriage contract has dried, the surprising arrival of the officers is announced. The two women must now shamefacedly confess everything to them. Guglielmo and Ferrando dissolve the masquerade. The women almost lose their minds. Don Alfonso collects the money and reconciles married couples, that have become wiser.
The Top 7 highlights of COSI FAN TUTTE
Soave sia il vento - Schwarzkopf / Ludwig / Berry
Come scoglio - Schwarzkopf
Un aura amorosa - Simoneau
Ah, che tutta in un momento - Ludwig / Schwarzkopf
Fra gli amplessi – Gruberova / Lima
Il cor vi dono - Bartoli / Terfel
LIBRETTO
COSI FAN TUTTE ACT I
| Scene One A café No. 1. Trio FERRANDO GUGLIELMO DON ALFONSO FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO DON ALFONSO |
| FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO No, no, we want it, or else draw your sword and we’ll break off our friendship.DON ALFONSO (aside) O mad wish, to attempt to discover the evil which makes us wretched, when found.FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO (aside) A man who utters a word that wrongs them touches me on the raw.Recitative GUGLIELMO DON ALFONSO FERRANDO DON ALFONSO FERRANDO |
| DON ALFONSO And I swear by the earth, I’m not joking, my friends. Only I would like to know what species of animal these beauties of yours are, if – like all of us – they have flesh, bones, skin, if they eat like us, if they wear skirts, in short, if they are goddesses or women…FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO They’re women, but such women…DON ALFONSO And you insist on finding faithfulness in women? Ah, how I like you, simplicity!No. 2. Trio DON ALFONSO FERRANDO GUGLIELMO DON ALFONSO FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO |
| Recitative DON ALFONSO GUGLIELMO DON ALFONSO FERRANDO GUGLIELMO FERRANDO GUGLIELMO FERRANDO DON ALFONSO |
| FERRANDO God! Stop mocking us!DON ALFONSO Just a moment. What if I give you tangible proof today that they are like other women?GUGLIELMO That cannot be.FERRANDO That isn’t so. DON ALFONSO FERRANDO DON ALFONSO GUGLIELMO DON ALFONSO FERRANDO GUGLIELMO (to Ferrando) |
| No. 3. Trio FERRANDO GUGLIELMO DON ALFONSO FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO, DON ALFONSO |
| Scene Two Garden near the sea No. 4. Duet FIORDILIGI DORABELLA FIORDILIGI DORABELLA FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA Recitative FIORDILIGI FIORDILIGI |
| DORABELLA It’s not they; it’s Don Alfonso, their friend.FIORDILIGI Welcome, Signor Don Alfonso.DON ALFONSO My respects.DORABELLA What is it? Why are you here alone? You weep? Speak, for pity’s sake! What has happened? My beloved… FIORDILIGI DON ALFONSO No. 5. Aria DON ALFONSO |
| Recitative FIORDILIGI DON ALFONSO FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA DON ALFONSO DORABELLA DON ALFONSO No. 6. Quintet GUGLIELMO FERRANDO |
| DON ALFONSO The hero displays his manliness in the most terrible moments.FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA Now that we have heard the news, you have left the lesser duty: take heart, and plunge your swords into both our hearts.FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO My idol, blame fate that I must abandon you.DORABELLA Ah no, you shall not leave… FIORDILIGI DORABELLA FIORDILIGI FERRANDO (softly to Don Alfonso) GUGLIELMO (softly to Don Alfonso) |
| DON ALFONSO (softly) Steady, friend, finem lauda.ALL Thus destiny defrauds the hopes of mortals. Ah, among so many misfortunes, who can ever love life?DORABELLA Ah no, no, you shall not leave…FIORDILIGI No, cruel one, you shall not go… DORABELLA FIORDILIGI FERRANDO (softly to Don Alfonso) GUGLIELMO (softly to Don Alfonso) DON ALFONSO (aside) ALL |
| Recitative GUGLIELMO FERRANDO DON ALFONSO FIORDILIGI DORABELLA FIORDILIGI DORABELLA FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO |
| No. 7. Duet FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO Recitative DON ALFONSO (aside) FERRANDO DON ALFONSO FIORDILIGI DORABELLA |
| (A military march is heard from a distance; a boat arrives at the shore.)No. 8. ChorusCHORUS Beautiful military life! You change place every day, much today, tomorrow little, now on land and now on sea. The din of trumpets and fifes, the firing of muskets and bombs increases the strengths of the arm and the spirit, which dreams only of winning. Beautiful military life!Recitative DON ALFONSO FIORDILIGI DORABELLA FERRANDO GUGLIELMO |
| FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO Embrace me, my idol!FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA I die of grief!No. 8a. QuintetFIORDILIGI Write to me every day… Swear, my life… DORABELLA GUGLIELMO FERRANDO DON ALFONSO (aside) FIORDILIGI DORABELLA FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA, FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO DON ALFONSO (aside) |
| No. 9. Chorus CHORUS Recitative DORABELLA DON ALFONSO FIORDILIGI DON ALFONSO FIORDILIGI |
| DORABELLA Good journey!FIORDILIGI Ye Gods! How swiftly that boat goes away! It’s disappearing already! Already it can be seen no longer! Ah, may Heaven grant it a fortunate voyage.DORABELLA May it reach the battlefield with good luck.DON ALFONSO And may it save your lovers, and my friends. No. 10. Trio FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA, DON ALFONSO Recitative DON ALFONSO |
| Scene Three A room with three doors Recitative DESPINA |
| FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA Ah! Ah!DESPINA What has happened?FIORDILIGI Where is there a sword?DORABELLA Where is there a poison? DESPINA DORABELLA No. 11. Aria DORABELLA |
| Recitative DESPINA FIORDILIGI DESPINA DORABELLA DESPINA DORABELLA DESPINA FIORDILIGI DESPINA |
| FIORDILIGI Foolish girl, what are you saying?DESPINA The plain truth: you lose two, you have all the others left. Other men have everything these men have. Now you love one man; you will love another. One is worth the other, because none is worth anything.DORABELLA Don’t offend thus those lovely souls, examples of faithfulness and immaculate love.DESPINA Come, come! The time is past when these tales could be passed off on children. No. 12. Aria DESPINA |
| O women, let us pay with the same token this maleficent, indiscreet species. Let us love for our convenience and for vanity. La ra la, la ra la, la ra la la. Let us love for our convenience, etc. (All leave. Don Alfonso enters.)RecitativeDON ALFONSO What silence! What an air of sadness these rooms breathe! Poor girls, they’re not completely wrong: they must be consoled. Now while the two credulous husbands go to disguise themselves, as I told them, let us think what can be done… I’m a little afraid of Despina…That minx might recognise them, she might upset my machinations. We shall see…If there should be need, a timely little present, a little gold piece, is a great charm for a maid. But, to be safe, one could let her in on the secret. The plan is excellent. This is her room. Despinetta!DESPINA Who’s knocking? |
| DON ALFONSO Oh!DESPINA Eee!DON ALFONSO My dear Despina, I need you.DESPINA And I don’t need you at all. DON ALFONSO DESPINA DON ALFONSO DESPINA DON ALFONSO |
| DESPINA Where are they?DON ALFONSO They are out there; may they come in?DESPINA I’d say yes. (Ferrando and Guglielmo come in, disguised.)No. 13. Sextet DON ALFONSO FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO DESPINA (aside) DON ALFONSO (softly to Despina) |
| DESPINA To speak to you quite frankly, they have an unusual face, the very antidote of love. What appearances! What moustaches! etc.FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO, DON ALFONSO (aside) Now the affair is completely settled. If she doesn’t recognise us/them there is no longer any fear.FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA (off-stage) Eh, Despina! Hola, Despina!DESPINA My mistresses! DON ALFONSO (to Despina) FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA DESPINA, FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO |
| See, languishing at your lovely feet, two wretches, swains who worship your merit.FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA Just Gods! What do I hear? Who was the unworthy author of this enormous betrayal?DESPINA, FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO Ah, calm that scorn!FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA Ah, I can restrain myself no more! My soul, in my breast, is filled with anger and terror. DESPINA (aside) DON ALFONSO (from the door) FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO (aside) FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA (aside) |
| Recitative DON ALFONSO (entering) DORABELLA DON ALFONSO FIORDILIGI DON ALFONSO FERRANDO GUGLIELMO |
| DON ALFONSO Oh, what a lovely surprise!DESPINA Do you know them?DON ALFONSO Do I know them? These are the dearest friends I have in this world, and they will be yours, too.FIORDILIGI And what are they doing in my house? GUGLIELMO DORABELLA FERRANDO GUGLIELMO FERRANDO |
| GUGLIELMO …like butterflies, dying with love…FERRANDO …we fly before you…GUGLIELMO …and at your sides, and behind you…FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO …to implore mercy in plaintive measure! FIORDILIGI DORABELLA FIORDILIGI |
| No. 14. Aria FIORDILIGI Recitative FERRANDO (to Fiordiligi) GUGLIELMO (to Dorabella) DON ALFONSO (aside to Guglielmo) |
| DORABELLA And what do you expect?GUGLIELMO Open your hearts, o beauties, to this soft glow; or you will see the most faithful lovers die before you.No. 15. AriaGUGLIELMO Don’t be shy, charming little eyes, send two amorous flashes here for a moment. Make us happy. Be loving with us, and we will also make you very happy. Look at us, touch us, observe us completely; we’re two loveable madmen, we’re strong and well-built, and as all can see – whether through merit or chance – we have a fine foot, a fine eye, a fine nose… Look: a fine foot, observe: a fine eye, touch: a fine nose. Observe everything: and these mustachios might be called the triumph of men, plumes of love. (Fiordiligi and Dorabella leave. Ferrando and Guglielmo, as soon as they are alone with Don Alfonso, laugh.) |
| No. 16. Trio DON ALFONSO FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO DON ALFONSO FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO DON ALFONSO FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO DON ALFONSO FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO DON ALFONSO FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO |
| DON ALFONSO This laughter of theirs is laughable, but I know it must end in weeping.RecitativeDON ALFONSO May I know the reason for your laughter?GUGLIELMO Oh, God, don’t you think that we have every reason, my dear sir? FERRANDO GUGLIELMO FERRANDO DON ALFONSO |
| GUGLIELMO And you still have the courage to open your mouth?DON ALFONSO We’ll speak again before evening.FERRANDO When you wish.DON ALFONSO Meanwhile: silence and obedience until tomorrow morning. GUGLIELMO DON ALFONSO GUGLIELMO FERRANDO No. 17. Aria FERRANDO |
| to the heart which, nourished on love’s hope, does not need a better bait. An amorous breath, etc. (Ferrando and Guglielmo leave.)RecitativeDON ALFONSO And how do you think the affair will turn out? Can we hope they will come to their senses?DESPINA I would; and whereas they weep, I’d laugh. To choke back tears of despair because your lover abandons you? What is love? Enjoyment, convenience, pleasure, joy, amusement, recreation, gaiety. It’s no longer love if it becomes inconvenient: if, instead of pleasure, it brings pain and torment. I’ll wait for you in my room. If you do all I tell you, before tomorrow your friends will celebrate victory; then they will have their wish and I the glory. (They leave.) |
| Scene Four The garden of the sisters’ house No. 18. Act One Finale FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO (off-stage) DON ALFONSO (off-stage) FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO DON ALFONSO FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO DON ALFONSO |
| (Ferrando and Guglielmo, each carrying a phial, come in, followed by Don Alfonso.)FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO Let arsenic deliver me from such cruelty. (They drink, then throw away the phials. Turning, they see the two women.)FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA My stars, was that a poison?DON ALFONSO A poison, right and proper, which in a few minutes will take life from them. FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA ALL |
| my soul, my fibre fail, nor can my tongue or lip utter a word. (Ferrando and Guglielmo fall on the grassy banks.)DON ALFONSO Since those wretches are close to dying, try to show pity to them at least.FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA Somebody! Come quickly! Somebody! Oh God, nobody hears us! Despina! Despina!DESPINA (off-stage) Who calls me? FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA DESPINA DON ALFONSO |
| DESPINA To abandon the poor men would be shameful for you; they must be helped.FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA, DON ALFONSO Whatever can we do?DESPINA They still show signs of life; with pitying hands support them for a little while. (to Don Alfonso) And you, come quickly with me: let us fly to seek a doctor, an antidote. (Despina and Don Alfonso leave.)FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA Gods, what a trial this is! A more dire event couldn’t have been found! FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO (aside) FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA FIORDILIGI |
| DORABELLA What do you say?FIORDILIGI In such grievous moments who could abandon them?DORABELLA What interesting appearances!FIORDILIGI We can move a little closer. DORABELLA FIORDILIGI DORABELLA FIORDILIGI DORABELLA FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA |
| FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO (aside) Both have become tamer and more pliant; we’ll see that their pity will end in love.FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA Poor things! Their death would make me weep. (Enter Despina, disguised as a doctor, with Don Alfonso.)DON ALFONSO Here is the doctor, lovely ladies.FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO (aside) Despina disguised, what a terrible sight! DESPINA FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA DESPINA DON ALFONSO |
| FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA Doctor, what can be done?DESPINA (feeling the pulse and the forehead, first of one, then the other) First I must know the cause, then the nature of the potion; whether hot or cold, whether small or large, whether in one dose, or in several.FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA, DON ALFONSO They’ve taken arsenic, Doctor; they drank it here. The cause is love, and they swallowed it in one gulp.DESPINA Don’t be worried, don’t be upset; here is a proof of my power. FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA, DON ALFONSO DESPINA |
| (With part of the magnet she touches the heads of Ferrando and Guglielmo, then draws it gently along their bodies.)FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA, DON ALFONSO How they move, writhe, stir! Soon they will strike their skulls on the ground.DESPINA Ah, hold their foreheads up.FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA Here we are, ready! DESPINA FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA, DON ALFONSO FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO (standing up) |
| DESPINA, DON ALFONSO These are still effects of the poison. Have no fear.FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA That may be true, but all these grimaces are harmful to our honour.FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO (aside) From my desire to laugh my lungs are about to burst. (to the women) Have mercy, my lovely idol!FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA I can resist no longer! FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO DESPINA, DON ALFONSO FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA DESPINA, DON ALFONSO |
| that by virtue of the magnetism the spasms will end, and they will be their former selves.FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO (aside) From my desire, etc.FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA I can resist, etc.DESPINA, DON ALFONSO These are still effects of the poison. Have no fear, etc. FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA DESPINA, DON ALFONSO FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA DESPINA, FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO, DON ALFONSO |
| The thing that makes me laugh the most is that anger and that rage, etc.FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA Desperate, poisoned, go to the devil, one and all! Later you will truly be sorry, if my fury increases! etc.FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO (aside) But I do not know if that anger and rage is feigned or real. Nor would I like all that fire to end in the fire of love, etc.DESPINA, DON ALFONSO (aside) I well know that all that fire will change into the fire of love, etc. |
COSI FAN TUTTE ACT II
| Scene One A room in the sisters’ house Recitative DESPINA FIORDILIGI DESPINA |
| No. 19. Aria DESPINA |
| who knows how to serve. In a single moment, etc. (She leaves.)RecitativeFIORDILIGI Sister, what do you say?DORABELLA I’m stunned by the infernal spirit of that girl. FIORDILIGI DORABELLA FIORDILIGI DORABELLA |
| No. 20. Duet DORABELLA FIORDILIGI DORABELLA FIORDILIGI DORABELLA FIORDILIGI FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA DORABELLA FIORDILIGI |
| Recitative DON ALFONSO DORABELLA DON ALFONSO |
| Scene Two Garden at the seashore No. 21. Duet with chorus FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO |
| You, who have heard a thousand times the strains of my woes, repeat to my beloved all you heard then.CHORUS Assist, friendly breezes, the wishes of such lovely hearts. (Ferrando and Guglielmo alight with garlands of flowers: Don Alfonso and Despina lead them into the presence of the two ladies, who are struck dumb with astonishment.)RecitativeFIORDILIGI, DORABELLA What is this masquerade? DESPINA FERRANDO GUGLIELMO DON ALFONSO (to the women) |
| FIORDILIGI (to Ferrando and Guglielmo) Speak!DORABELLA Say freely what you wish.FERRANDO Madame…GUGLIELMO Or rather, Mesdames… FERRANDO GUGLIELMO No. 22. Quartet DON ALFONSO FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO |
| DON ALFONSO Now he leaves you in peace…FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO In peace…DON ALFONSO He can’t have what he wants, he’ll want what he can have.FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO He can’t have what he wants, he’ll want what he can have. DON ALFONSO DESPINA DESPINA, DON ALFONSO (aside) |
| (Despina and Don Alfonso leave. Guglielmo arm in arm with Dorabella; Fiordiligi walks with Ferrando but without offering her arm.)RecitativeFIORDILIGI Oh, what a beautiful day!FERRANDO A bit warm rather than not. DORABELLA GUGLIELMO FIORDILIGI FERRANDO FIORDILIGI FERRANDO (to Guglielmo as he passes) |
| FIORDILIGI What did you say to him?FERRANDO Oh, I urged him to amuse her well. (Fiordiligi and Ferrando stroll off.)DORABELLA Let us stroll, too.GUGLIELMO As you like. Alas! DORABELLA GUGLIELMO DORABELLA (aside) GUGLIELMO (aside) |
| DORABELLA A heart?GUGLIELMO You accept it?DORABELLA I accept it.GUGLIELMO (aside) Unhappy Ferrando! (to Dorabella) Oh, what joy! No. 23. Duet GUGLIELMO DORABELLA GUGLIELMO |
| DORABELLA If you give it to me, what is leaping there?GUGLIELMO Why is it beating here?DORABELLA What is leaping there?DORABELLA, GUGLIELMO It’s my little heart that is with me no longer; it went to be with you, and it beats like that. GUGLIELMO DORABELLA GUGLIELMO |
| DORABELLA What are you doing?GUGLIELMO Don’t look.DORABELLA (aside) I feel as if I have a Vesuvius in my breast.GUGLIELMO (aside) Wretched Ferrando, it doesn’t seem possible. (to Dorabella) Turn your eye to me. DORABELLA (to Guglielmo) GUGLIELMO DORABELLA, GUGLIELMO |
| Recitative FERRANDO FIORDILIGI FERRANDO FIORDILIGI FERRANDO FIORDILIGI FERRANDO FIORDILIGI FERRANDO |
| No. 24. Aria FERRANDO Recitative FIORDILIGI |
| No. 25. Rondo FIORDILIGI Recitative FERRANDO GUGLIELMO FERRANDO |
| GUGLIELMO Just that?FERRANDO Absolutely: pay attention and listen well. She rebutted me haughtily, she spurned me, she fled me, giving me a pledge and the message that she is a woman without peer.GUGLIELMO Good for you, good for me, good for my Penelope! Allow me to embrace you for such happy tidings, o my trusty Mercury!FERRANDO And my Dorabella? How did she behave? Ah, I have no doubt about it. I know well that sensitive soul. She loves, adores no one but me. GUGLIELMO FERRANDO GUGLIELMO |
| FERRANDO To tear the heart from that wicked breast, and to avenge my betrayed love.GUGLIELMO Stop.FERRANDO No, let me go!GUGLIELMO Are you mad? Do you want to ruin yourself for a woman who isn’t worth tuppence? (aside) I wouldn’t want him to do anything foolish! FERRANDO GUGLIELMO (to Ferrando) FERRANDO GUGLIELMO |
| FERRANDO Cruel, ungrateful girl! In a day…In a few hours!GUGLIELMO Certainly, this is a situation that amazes one!No. 26. AriaGUGLIELMO My dear women, you take in so many men that, if I must tell you the truth, when lovers complain I begin to sympathise with them. I’m fond of your sex; you know it, everyone knows it; I prove it to you every day, I give you proof of my friendship. But this taking in so many men depresses me, to tell the truth. A thousand times I’ve drawn a sword to save your honour; a thousand times I’ve defended you with my mouth and, more, with my heart. But this taking in so many men is an irritating little habit. You are charming, you are loveable, Heaven gave you many treasures and the graces surround you from head to foot. But, you take in so many men that it isn’t credible. I’m fond of your sex, etc. |
| But you take in so many men that, if lovers cry out, they surely have good reason. Ah, you take in so many men, etc. (He leaves.)RecitativeFERRANDO In what fierce conflict, in what confusion of thoughts and affections I find myself! So new and unusual is my situation that neither others nor myself are sufficient to counsel me…Alfonso, Alfonso, how you will want to laugh at my stupidity! But I’ll avenge myself, I’ll be able to erase that wicked woman from my breast…Erase her? Oh God, this heart of mine speaks to me for her too much.No. 27. Cavatina FERRANDO |
| Recitative DON ALFONSO FERRANDO DON ALFONSO FERRANDO GUGLIELMO DON ALFONSO GUGLIELMO |
| DON ALFONSO Gladly: but before paying up, I think we should try another experiment.GUGLIELMO What?DON ALFONSO Be patient. Till tomorrow you are both my slaves: you gave me your word as soldiers to do what I tell you. Come, I hope to show you clearly that it’s a crazy brain which counts its chickens before they are hatched. (They leave.) |
| Scene Three A room in the sisters’ house Recitative DESPINA DORABELLA |
| FIORDILIGI Wretched creatures! See what a state I’m in, through your fault!DESPINA What’s happened, dear miss?DORABELLA Do you have some illness, sister?FIORDILIGI I have the devil…and may he take me, you, her, Don Alfonso, the foreigners and all madmen the world contains. DORABELLA FIORDILIGI DESPINA DORABELLA FIORDILIGI DESPINA |
| DORABELLA Here: seventy thousand kisses! You have the blond, I, the dark one. And here both of us are brides!FIORDILIGI I’ll be able to control myself.DESPINA You won’t be able to do anything.FIORDILIGI I’ll show you. DORABELLA No. 28. Aria DORABELLA |
| He bears sweetness and pleasure, if you let him have his way; but he fills you with disgust if you try to fight him. He bears sweetness, etc. Love is, etc. If he settles in your breast, if he catches you here, do everything he asks, for I shall do so, too. If he settles in your breast, etc. (Dorabella and Despina leave.)RecitativeFIORDILIGI How everything conspires to seduce my heart! But now…I don’t want to see that seducer.GUGLIELMO (listening with Ferrando and Don Alfonso at the door, unseen by Fiordiligi) Excellent! My chaste Artemisia! You hear her? FIORDILIGI DESPINA (entering) |
| FIORDILIGI Take this key a moment and without a word, without a single word, take from the wardrobe and bring here to me two swords, two hats, and two suits belonging to our betrothed. (Despina leaves.)FIORDILIGI Ferrando’s clothes will suit me; Dorabella can take Guglielmo’s. In this guise we’ll join our betrothed, we can fight at their side, and die, if necessary.(She takes off her head-dress.) Go to the devil, fateful adornments, I hate you.GUGLIELMO (aside) You must agree this really is love. FIORDILIGI No. 29. Duet FIORDILIGI |
| FERRANDO (entering) And meanwhile, wretched me, I shall die of grief.FIORDILIGI What do I see? I am betrayed! Ah, leave!FERRANDO Ah no, my life! (taking the sword from the table) With this sword in your hand you will wound this heart; and, oh God, if you haven’t strength, I will support your hand.FIORDILIGI Be silent, alas! I am unhappy and tormented enough! FERRANDO FIORDILIGI FERRANDO FIORDILIGI |
| FERRANDO and FIORDILIGI …begins to weaken!FIORDILIGI Rise, rise!FERRANDO You believe that in vain!FIORDILIGI For pity’s sake, what do you ask of me? FERRANDO FIORDILIGI FERRANDO FIORDILIGI FERRANDO FIORDILIGI |
| FIORDILIGI, FERRANDO Let us embrace, o beloved, and let suffering with sweet affection and sighing with pleasure be a solace for so many griefs. Let us embrace, etc. (They go out. Don Alfonso and Guglielmo enter.)RecitativeGUGLIELMO Ah, poor me! What have I seen? What have I heard?DON ALFONSO Silence, for heaven’s sake! GUGLIELMO DON ALFONSO FERRANDO (entering) |
| GUGLIELMO Where is she?FERRANDO Who? Your Fiordiligi?GUGLIELMO My Fior – Fior-de-devil! May he strangle her first and me afterwards!FERRANDO You see now, there are differences in all things, I am worth a little more. GUGLIELMO DON ALFONSO |
| No. 30. Andante DON ALFONSO FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO, DON ALFONSO Recitative DESPINA FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO, DON ALFONSO DESPINA |
| Scene Four A large, festively decorated room. No. 31. Act Two Finale DESPINA CHORUS DON ALFONSO (coming in) |
| DESPINA, DON ALFONSO (softly, going out by different doors) A finer comedy was never seen nor will be seen! (Enter Fiordiligi, Dorabella, Ferrando and Guglielmo.)CHORUS Blessings on the two husbands and the charming brides! May heaven shine on them beneficently, and, like hens, may they be prolific, with children that equal them in beauty.FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA, FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO How everything here seems to promise complete joy and complete love! It will surely be the merit of our beloved Despinetta. Redouble the happy sound, repeat the sweet song, and we shall sit here meanwhile in greater joviality.CHORUS Blessings, etc. (The chorus leaves. Four servants remain to wait on the two couples.) FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO |
| FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA Through my blood, my happiness grows, grows and spreads!FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO You are so beautiful!FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA You are so lovely!FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO What beautiful eyes! FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA FIORDILIGI, FERRANDO, DORABELLA GUGLIELMO (aside) |
| DON ALFONSO Ladies and gentlemen, all is done; the notary is on the stairs with the marriage contract and will come here ipso facto.FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA, FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO Bravo! Bravo! Let him come in at once.DON ALFONSO I’ll go to call him. Here he is. (Enter Despina, disguised as a notary.)DESPINA Wishing you every good thing, the notary Beccavivi comes to you with his usual notarial dignity! And the contract, drawn up with the ordinary rules in the legal forms, first coughing, then sitting down, he will read out loud and clear. FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA, FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO, DON ALFONSO DESPINA |
| her legitimate sister. The former are Ferrarese ladies; the latter, Albanian noblemen, and as dowry and counter-dowry…FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA, FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO These things are known! We believe you, we trust you, we’ll sign. Hand it over.DESPINA, DON ALFONSO Bravo! Bravo! Really! (The contract remains in Don Alfonso’s hand. A loud sound of a drum is heard.)CHORUS (within) Beautiful military life! You change place every day; much today, tomorrow little, now on land, and now on sea. FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA, DESPINA, FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO DON ALFONSO |
| FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA My husband…DON ALFONSO …have come back at this moment. Oh God! And they are already landing at the shore.FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA, FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO What do I hear? Cruel fate! What’s to be done in such a moment?FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA Leave quickly… DESPINA, DON ALFONSO FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA DESPINA, DON ALFONSO FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA |
| DON ALFONSO Be reassured!FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA Gods, counsel!DON ALFONSO Calm yourselves!FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA Who will save us from danger? Who? DON ALFONSO FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO |
| DON ALFONSO Righteous Gods! Guglielmo? Ferrando? Oh, what rejoicing! Here! But how? When?FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO Recalled by a royal counter-order, our hearts full of joy and pleasure, we return to our adorable brides, we return to your friendship.GUGLIELMO (to Fiordiligi) But what is that pallor, that silence?FERRANDO (to Dorabella) Why is my idol sad? DON ALFONSO FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA (aside) GUGLIELMO |
| DESPINA No, sir, he’s not a notary; it’s Despina in disguise, since she’s just come back from the ball and came here to change her clothes.FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO (aside) Where will one ever find a slyboots the equal of this one?DESPINA (aside) A slyboots who is my equal – where will one ever find her?FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA Despina? Despina? I don’t understand what’s happening. (Don Alfonso carefully drops the contract signed by the women.) DON ALFONSO (softly to the two men) FERRANDO GUGLIELMO FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO |
| Ah, let the revelation be made, and in streams, rivers, oceans, blood will then flow! (They start to go into the other room; the women stop them.)FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA Ah, sir, I’m worthy of death, and death I ask for myself alone; too late I see my mistake, wound, with that sword, a breast that doesn’t deserve mercy!FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO What happened?FIORDILIGI (pointing to Despina and Don Alfonso) Let the cruel man and the seductress speak for us. DON ALFONSO FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA |
| FERRANDO (to Fiordiligi) Lovely lady, before you bows the Knight of Albania!GUGLIELMO (to Dorabella) Here, my lady, I give you back the little portrait for the little heart.FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO (to Despina) And to the magnetic Doctor I give the honour that he deserved.FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA, DESPINA Heavens! What do I see?! FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO, DON ALFONSO FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA, DESPINA FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO, DON ALFONSO FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA DON ALFONSO |
| Embrace and be silent. Now all four of you laugh; I’ve laughed already and will laugh.FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA My idol, if this is true, with loyalty and with love I’ll repay your heart. I’ll adore you forever.FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO believe you, o my lovely joy; but I don’t want to test it.DESPINA don’t know if I wake or dream, I’m confused, I’m ashamed. At least, if they’ve taken me in, I, too, take in many others. ALL End of the opera |
Reproduced with express permission from http://www.murashev.com/opera/
Peter Lutz, opera inside, the online opera guide to Cosi fan tutte by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
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