Recommended for Grades 6-12
In this resource, you will:
- Learn the opera’s background and synopsis
- Meet the opera’s composer
Così fan Tutte
by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Così fan Tutte
by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
A quick overview of Mozart’s 1789 tale of wit, deception, and seduction.
Background
Flighty and fickle or faithful and true? Mozart poses this classic question in his famous comedic opera Così fan tutte, a tale involving the misadventures of two sisters and their soldier boyfriends. For these starry-eyed young couples, romantic illusions are given a nasty wakeup call when they decide to test the boundaries of love, loyalty, and friendship in a complicated game of “boys versus girls.”
Così fan tutte or La scuola degli amanti (translates to “Women Are Like That” or “The School for Lovers”) marks the final collaboration between the dynamic duo of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and the Italian clergyman-turned-party boy-turned-poet Lorenzo Da Ponte. Its timeless story draws on a variety of myths, plays, poems, and early operas, while also offering unique twists on older themes of love and fidelity.
Synopsis
Act I
Wily old gentleman Don Alfonso listens as soldiers Ferrando and Guglielmo brag about their respective girlfriends, sisters Dorabella and Fiordiligi. When the young officers declare their sweethearts are the most faithful in the land, Alfonso laughs, saying no woman could be that virtuous. He suggests they bet on it. The three hatch a plan: The boys will pretend to go off to war and return disguised as mysterious “Albanians” and woo each other’s girl. Whoever’s girl gives in the fastest loses the wager.
Dorabella and Fiordiligi are heartbroken at the idea of being separated from their beloved soldiers. Still, their sassy chambermaid, Despina (pronounced dess-PEEN-ah), reminds them they don’t have to be faithful, since they can’t expect men to keep their promises. Despina suggests the girls enjoy themselves and have fun while their men are away.
With some help from Despina, Don Alfonso presents his two “Albanian” friends to the sisters. When these exotic strangers pledge their instant love to the girls, Dorabella and Fiordiligi stand firm, claiming nothing will make them stray from their boyfriends. The boys then choose a different approach and swallow fake poison, saying they’d rather die than be rejected. Despina arrives disguised as a doctor and the men are revived, but the sisters are disgusted when the Albanians ask them for a “thank you” kiss.
Act II
Dorabella and Fiordiligi secretly admit they find these strangers rather attractive and decide to flirt a little. Don Alfonso and Despina arrange for a romantic rendezvous for the two new couples. Though Guglielmo succeeds in winning Dorabella’s affection, Ferrando has no luck with Fiordiligi. When the two soldiers reunite, Ferrando is furious to hear his Dorabella has betrayed him and resolves to make Fiordiligi fall for his charms.
Fiordiligi, aware that her resolve is weakening, decides to run away with Dorabella. Before she can do so, however, Ferrando appears and once more pledges his undying love. Fiordiligi succumbs and agrees to marry him.
The stage is set for a double wedding. However, just as the sisters are about to sign marriage contracts with their new suitors (issued by Despina, disguised as a notary), a military march is heard. Alfonso breaks the news that the soldiers are returning, and Dorabella and Fiordiligi scramble to hide their Albanian fiancés.
All six characters face off in one final battle of the sexes. Fingers are pointed, names are called, and all sorts of threats are made. Do things get resolved? Do our four lovers get a happy ending? You be the judge. La scuola (school) is out for the day!
Meet the Artists
Read the Student Guide
Read the Rehearsal Guide
Listen to the Story
Jean-Honoré Fragonard (French, 1732-1806), Happy Lovers, c. 1751–1755 [].
Presented by Washington National Opera, host Saul Lilienstein takes you through the musical world of Mozart’s 1789 take of wit, deception, and seduction, Così fan Tutte.
Watch an Excerpt
From the Kennedy Center Education archives: Mozart poses this classic question in his famous comedic opera Così fan tutte, a tale involving the misadventures of two sisters and their soldier boyfriends. For these starry-eyed young couples, romantic illusions are given a nasty wakeup call when they decide to test the boundaries of love, loyalty, and friendship in a complicated game of “boys vs girls.”
Watch
Watch
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Written by
Eleni Hagen
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Edited by
Lisa Resnick
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Produced by
Kennedy Center Education
Digital Learning
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