Così fan tutte, Quarantined

Need to know

Così tanto dramma!

The opera’s full title is Così fan tutte, ossia La scuola degli amanti (They’re (women) all like that, or The School for Lovers). It premiered in 1790 and was quickly dismissed, popularity for the opera didn’t occur until the mid 20th century, but the opera and it’s title are still dogged with accusations of misogyny.

Life imitating art! Mozart’s life has parallels to the plot of Così, prior to marrying his wife Constanze Weber, he was also engaged to her sister Alysia.

Così fan tutte is the third and final collaboration between Mozart and librettist Lorenzo Da Ponte (Le Nozze di Figaro and Don Giovanni). Da Ponte went bankrupt after the premiere of Così and soon after, emigrated to New York to escape his creditors.

Mozart didn’t care for the original singers cast of Così. Fiordiligi was played by Da Ponte’s mistress, Adriana Ferrarese del Bene, and the great composer disliked her and her voice. Don Alfonso was played by Francesco Bussani, the bass had also worked on Mozart’s Figaro and Giovanni, besides beef between he and the composer, his voice was in decline and Mozart noticed, giving him a very tiny aria.

Here are a few links about Mozart and Così to check out!

Florentine Opera’s Quarantine Pages: The Magic Flute and Don Giovanni
Classical FM: “Così fan tutte: A beginners guide to Mozart’s Operas”
The Guardian: “Hello, cruel world”
The Atlanta Opera: “Every opera has its drama… and its fun facts… especially Così fan tutte”

“Between the Sheets” was never so refreshing!

In honor of Mozart's Così fan tutte (The School for Lovers), your pre-opera cocktail is"Between the Sheets!" This Cognac and Rum cocktail is tart, flirty, and fun, the perfect way to enjoy a show! Watch John build the cocktail here.

Ingredients: 3/4 oz. Cognac, 3/4 oz. White Rum, 3/4 oz. Cointreau, 1/4 oz. Lemon Juice, 1/4 oz. Simple Syrup, Lemon Peel for Garnish Directions: Add all the ingredients to a shaker with ice and shake until chilled, strain into a chilled coupe, garnish with Lemon peel. Enjoy!

Synopsis

Plot in a Minute

ACT I: Two soldiers, Ferrando and Guglielmo are convinced they’ve scored the most faithful women in the world, however, cynical Don Alfonso isn’t convinced and bets the two men that in one day he can get their companions to fall for another. Ferrando and Guglielmo take his bet and under Don Alfonso’s command, tell their loves, Dorabella and Fiordiligi, they have been summoned and must go to war. After an emotional goodbye, the two sisters return home devastated and confide the news to their maid Despina, who offers up her own advice, forget their loves and find new ones. Don Alfonso arrives at the ladies’ home and fearing Despina figuring out his plan, convinces her to help him win his wager. She agrees and helps introduce Ferrando and Guglielmo, now dressed as “Albanians”, to Fiordilgi and Dorabella. The women want nothing to do with these men and storm out. Thinking they’ve won, Ferrando and Guglielmo start to gloat to Don Alfonso, who simply says, there is still a lot of time in the day’s bet. Later that same day, Don Alfonso brings the disguised men back to the sister’s home and the two men are ill, claiming they’ve been poisoned. Frantically, the women call for Despina’s help, she tells them to watch over the men while she finds a doctor. Despina returns dressed as a doctor and uses a giant magnet to cure the men. Instantly, both are brought to immediate health and ask Fiordiligi and Dorabella for a kiss which is instantly rejected.

ACT II: The following day, Despina persuades the sisters to choose their favorite “Albanian.” Each sister chooses their opposite lover and after some courting lessons from Despina and Don Alfonso, each couple leave to make themselves more acquainted with one another. Dorabella and the disguised Gugielmo have an instant chemistry and before long they exchange a trinket. Fiordilgi and the disguised Ferrando’s meeting doesn’t go as smoothly. Afterwards, both men discuss their dates, Ferrando is upset Dorabella fell so quickly and Gugielmo is smug and gloats Fiordiligi’s faithfulness to him.

The sister’s also discuss the events of the day and Fiordiligi is shocked to hear about Dorabella’s infidelity and vows to depart Naples to visit the men on the front lines. Before Fiordiligi is able to leave, Ferrando (still disguised), enters and is finally able to woo her. Gugielmo is furious when he learns of Ferrando’s success, but both men concede and admit Don Alfonso has won the bet. Since the day isn’t over, they play along with the rest of Don Alfonso’s scheme, which now includes a double wedding.

That evening Despina, dressed as a marriage notary, comes to perform the ceremony of the two couples. As soon as the wedding contracts are signed, there is a sound of military music in the distances. Realizing the men have returned, the sisters try to hide their “Albanian” husbands. While hidden, both men change back into their military uniforms and return to find the sisters. Don Alfonso shows them the signed marriage contracts and both men act furious. Before the joke goes too far, Don Alfonso reveals Despina as the notary and explains to the sisters that the men were in fact also the “Albanians.” Once the sisters learn of the wager, all is forgiven.

Full Plot

Read the full synopsis from Liveabout.com

Stream the Opera

Here is a traditional production from Wiener Staatsoper performed in 1996.

Rent this 2018 Met Production of Così fan tutte set on the boardwalk of Coney Island.

Peter Sellers is known for his creative and avant garde interpretations of operas, his production of Così fan tutte is no exception. Here is his production (please note it has multiple links to each section). Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4.