Così fan tutte facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Così fan tutte |
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| by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | |
Portrait by Doris Stock, 1789
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| Genre | Opera buffa in 2 acts |
| Translation | Women are like that |
| Librettist | Lorenzo Da Ponte |
| Language | Italian |
| Premiere | Burgtheater Vienna 26 January 1790 |
Così fan tutte, ossia La scuola degli amanti means Women are like that, or The school for lovers. It is an opera buffa, which is a funny opera. The music was written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The story, called a libretto, was written in Italian by Lorenzo Da Ponte.
Così fan tutte was first performed in Vienna, Austria, on January 26, 1790. For a long time, people thought this opera was a bit daring for its time. Because of this, it was not performed very often. Today, many people think Mozart's music for this opera is some of his best. Now, it is performed a lot all around the world.
Contents
Main Characters in the Opera
- Fiordiligi (soprano): She is Dorabella's sister and Guglielmo's girlfriend.
- Dorabella (soprano): She is Fiordiligi's sister and Ferrando's girlfriend.
- Despina (soprano): She is a maid who works for Fiordiligi and Dorabella.
- Ferrando (tenor): He is a soldier and Dorabella's boyfriend.
- Guglielmo (bass): He is a soldier and Fiordiligi's boyfriend.
- Don Alfonso (bass): He is an older, wise man who is a bit cynical.
The Story of Così fan tutte
The story of Così fan tutte takes place in Naples, Italy, in the 1700s.
A Bet About Loyalty
The opera begins with Don Alfonso making a bet with two young soldiers, Ferrando and Guglielmo. Don Alfonso believes that their girlfriends, Dorabella and Fiordiligi, will not stay loyal if they are tested. The soldiers are sure their girlfriends are faithful and accept the bet.
The Soldiers' Trick
Ferrando and Guglielmo tell their girlfriends that they have been called away to fight in a war. They pretend to leave Naples. However, they soon return in disguise. They dress up as "Albanians" with turbans and fake moustaches. Each soldier then tries to win over the other's girlfriend.
Despina's Help
With the help of Despina, the maid, the two sisters eventually agree to marry the disguised foreigners.
The Truth Revealed
Just as the weddings are about to happen, the soldiers take off their disguises. They reveal their trick and tell their girlfriends off for not staying loyal. The opera ends with everyone learning a lesson about love and forgiveness.
Images for kids
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Costume design by Eugène Berman
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Opera in the Heights ensemble, 2011
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See also
