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THE STORY

Setting: the Italian Riviera.

Act I
A coffee shop. Two young officers, Ferrando and Guglielmo are bragging to their acquaintance, Don Alfonso, about the faithfulness of the two sisters they plan to marry. Alfonso makes a bet with the two men that he can prove that the women will not be faithful when put to the test. The men agree to disguise themselves and attempt to seduce the other's betrothed.

The garden. Dorabella and Fiordiligi, the fiancées of Ferrando and Guglielmo, await their lovers when Don Alfonso arrives to announce that the officers were called to war. Ferrando and Guglielmo bid farewell and the sisters swear their fidelity and sadly wish them safe travel.

A room in the sisters' home. When Despina, the maid, asks why the sisters are upset, Dorabella tells her that the officers have left them alone. Despina advises the sisters to find new lovers and that the sisters should not expect their men to be faithful. The sisters, outraged, leave the room. Don Alfonso arrives and bribes Despina to help him carry out his plan. When the officers are brought into the house, disguised as Albanians, they offer themselves up to the women, who reject them and announce their faithfulness.

The garden. The sisters are still pining for their men when the Albanians threaten to poison themselves if the sisters continue to reject them. The men take the poison and pass out. The sisters call for Despina, who runs to find a doctor. Despina returns, disguised as a doctor, and uses a giant magnet to revive the men. The Albanians demand a kiss from the women to complete the cure and the women refuse.

Act II
The sisters' bedroom. Despina tries to convince the sisters to give in to the Albanians and leaves in frustration. Dorabella and Fiordiligi agree that a mild flirtation could not hurt.

The garden. The Albanians and sisters have paired off: Dorabella with Guglielmo and Ferrando with Fiordiligi. Guglielmo and Dorabella exchange lockets (hers with Ferrando's portrait inside). Meanwhile, Ferrando is having little success wooing Fiordiligi. The men later compare notes and Ferrando becomes enraged that his love was so quick to give up her locket to a stranger.

The sister's bedroom. Dorabella confesses to her sister that she gave her locket to the disguised Guglielmo. Fiordiligi becomes upset and decides to find her husband-to-be on the battlefield. Before she leaves, however, she gives in to Ferrando, who later gloats to Guglielmo.

A banquet room. The sisters are about to marry the Albanians. Despina, disguised as a notary, presents the marriage contract, which they all sign. The sound of military music in the background heralds the return of the officers. Alfonso tells the sisters that Ferrando and Guglielmo are on their way to the house. The disguised officers flee the house and return dressed as themselves. Alfonso shows them the marriage contract; enraged, the officers storm out of the room. They return shortly with half of their Albanian costume on. The sisters realize the deception and all is forgiven.