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Set in the Bay of Naples in the 18th century, Così fan tutte is a bittersweet meditation on women’s faithfulness against a backdrop of disguises, false goodbyes, and deceptions. Convinced of women’s infidelity, the cynical Don Alfonso provokes his friends Ferrando and Guglielmo by questioning the loyalty of their fiancées, sisters Dorabella and Fiordiligi. To prove his assertion, Don Alfonso proposes the following plan: that they tell their fiancées they are leaving for war, and then return disguised as soldiers, ready to do anything to seduce the lonely fiancées. With their “real” lovers gone, Fiordiligi and Dorabella appear outraged when their servant Despina (Don Alfonso’s accomplice) introduces into their home the two soldiers, who quickly prove to be very persuasive. The two sisters at first reject them virtuously but soon allow themselves to be seduced by these new suitors who, under a false identity, gradually become disillusioned as they see their fiancées betraying them. “They all do that!” (“Così fan tutte”) Don Alfonso states, thrilled to have proved his theory. The terrorized sisters are horrified by the deception and the two men initially find it difficult to forgive, however, Don Alfonso suggests a solution that will leave the audience delightfully surprised!
Sponsored by Gugino and Ryel Financial and the Oliver G. and Sarah Sloan Bauman Fund for the Arts at the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo.