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THE INSIDER'S LOOK

The Facts
Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Librettist: Lorenzo da Ponte
Debut: Vienna's Burgtheater, January 26, 1790

The Players
Fiordiligi (soprano): sister to Dorabella; engaged to Guglielmo
Dorabella (soprano): sister to Fiordiligi; engaged to Ferrando
Guglielmo (bass): officer in the military, engaged to Fiordiligi
Ferrando (tenor): officer in the military, engaged to Dorabella
Despina (soprano): the sisters' maid
Don Alfonso (bass): bachelor friend of the officers

Listen For…
The enchanting trio Soave sia il vento, sung by Alfonso and the sisters as they wish for safety as the officers "head off to war."

Other great selections include:
-Come scoglio (Fiordiligi)
-Un'aura amorosa (Ferrando)
-Una donna a quindici anni (Despina)
-E amore un ladroncello (Despina)

Did You Know?
The librettist's mistress, Adriana Ferrarese, originated the role of Fiordiligi. Mozart was said to not get along with her and intentionally wrote a very difficult aria (Come scoglio) for her to sing.

When the opera premiered, it was not considered risqué, but in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the opera was considered immoral and was rarely performed and were accompanied by apologies for the plot. Librettists in the 1800's even tried to write a whole new story to fit the existing music!

Originally considered a light farce, scholars have only given the opera critical attention in recent years.

Multimedia Extras
Opera Talk! Cosi fan tutte
San Diego Opera Education Director Dr. Nicolas Reveles discusses Mozart's life and career, the synopsis of the opera, the music and more. Courtesy of San Diego Opera.