The third and final Mozart/da Ponte collaboration, is the only one of the three that’s not based on a pre-existing drama (though there are several texts that bear a resemblance to the libretto’s narrative).
It’s an odd, comic, but to modern sensibilities vaguely disquieting, amoral tale of male deception and female infidelity.
Act I
After the overture, we meet the two young soldiers, Ferrando and Guglielmo who are extolling the virtue and faithfulness of their two respective fiancées, the sisters Dorabella and Fiordiligi, to the older – and definitely more cynical – Don Alfonso, who insists that women are fickle and wagers that he can prove his case.
We then meet the sisters (Duet: Ah guarda sorella) who are similarly deeply enamoured of their fiancés. Don Alfonso arrives and puts his plot into action by announcing that the two soldiers have been summoned to war and must leave immediately. Ferrando and Guglielmo come to bid a reluctant farewell (Quintet: Sento, o Dio, che questo piede è restio) and (seemingly) sail off accompanied by the well wishes of the sisters and Alfonso (Soave sia il vento).
The scene changes to the sisters’ home where we meet another important character, Despina, their maid. Dorabella expresses her anguish at the absence of Ferrando (Smanie implacabili) while the worldly-wise Despina mocks the naïve romantic pretentions of the sisters (In uomini, in soldati, sperare fedeltà?) Despina, bribed by Don Alfonso becomes part of the plot; so that, when the men arrive, disguised as Albanians, she goes along with the charade. The supposed Albanians profess their love, but Fiordiligi is incensed and orders them to leave (Come scoglio). It’s now the turn of the two men for solo arias; Guglielmo catalogues their handsome features (Non siate ritrosi) while Ferrando secretly rejoices in the faithfulness of his betrothed (Un’aura amorosa).
The finale of the act sees the would-be Albanian lovers, having been dismissed, return once more and, in mock desperation, pretend to take poison (which is ‘cured’ by a doctor – Despina in disguise – using a magnet). All to no avail, despite the encouragement of Don Alfonso and Despina, Dorabella and Fiordiligi insist on remaining true to their fiancés.
Vocal score
(with English translation)
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Pantygwydr!
The Art of Listening 