Miami performances are at the Sanford and Dolores Ziff Ballet Opera House at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County, 1300 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami.

Fort Lauderdale performances are at the Au-Rene Theater at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW 5th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale.

Children must be at least six years old to attend.

Così fan tutte

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte

Two young soldiers disguise their identities to test their lovers’ fidelity in this Mozart masterpiece. This sublime and sometimes startling mix of hilarious farce and poignant drama returns to our stage in a production designed to delight and entertain.

Cast

Fiordiligi
Sari Gruber [debut; Jan 24, 27, 31, Feb 12]
     (FGOpera Blog Meet Our Artists: Sari Gruber)
Hailey Clark [Jan 25, 30, Feb 14]
     (FGOpera Blog Meet Our Artists: Hailey Clark)

Dorabella
Brenda Patterson [debut; Jan 24, 27, 31, Feb 12]
     (FGOpera Blog Meet Our Artists: Brenda Patterson)
Carla Jablonski [Jan 25, 30, Feb 14]
     (FGOpera Blog Meet Our Artists: Carla Jablonski)

Ferrando
Jason Slayden [debut; Jan 24, 27, 31, Feb 12]
Daniel Bates [Jan 25, 30, Feb 14]
     (FGOpera Blog Meet Our Artists: Daniel Bates)

Guglielmo
Jonathan Beyer [debut; Jan 24, 27, 31, Feb 12]
     (FGOpera Blog Meet Our Artists: Jonathan Beyer)
Isaac Bray [Jan 25, 30, Feb 14]
     (FGOpera Blog Meet Our Artists: Isaac Bray)

Don Alfonso
Arthur Woodley [debut]

Despina
Ava Pine [debut; Jan 24, 27, 31, Feb 12]
     (FGOpera Blog Meet Our Artists: Ava Pine)
Rebecca Henriques [Jan 25, 30, Feb 14]
     (FGOpera Blog Meet Our Artists: Rebecca Henriques)

Conductor
Ramón Tebar [Jan 24, 25, 27, 30, 31]
Domenico Boyagian [Feb 12, 14]

Stage Director
Bernard Uzan

Production
Florida Grand Opera

Sung in Italian with English and Spanish projected titles.

Synopsis

Act I

Ferrando and Guglielmo believe their fiancées, sisters named Dorabella and Fiordiligi, are incapable of infidelity. Don Alfonso is more jaded: “Are they goddesses or women?” he asks. The lovers are offended and want to fight. Don Alfonso suggests a wager instead. He offers them a hundred sequins if he can’t prove that very day that these women are like all others—fickle. His only stipulation is that the men do everything he asks. They agree.

Fiordiligi and Dorabella dream of getting married. Don Alfonso tells them that their soldiers are off to battle. As the couples part, the men secretly enjoy their sweethearts’ sorrow. The sisters and Don Alfonso pray for a safe journey.

Despina, the maid, prepares hot chocolate. The desperate Fiordiligi seeks a dagger; Dorabella threatens to die from rage and sorrow. Despina advises the sisters to enjoy themselves as she is sure their fiancés are doing. “Do you expect fidelity from soldiers?” she asks.

Don Alfonso bribes Despina to encourage her mistresses to receive visitors—Ferrando and Guglielmo in disguise. The sisters are horrified to have men in their house until Don Alfonso assures them that these are his friends. The disguised men declare undying love: Dorabella is confused, but Fiordiligi protests that she is impervious to any attempts to sway her constancy. After the sisters leave, Ferrando and Guglielmo offer to let Don Alfonso off lightly. He reminds them that the day isn’t over. The women, upset, become more so when the disguised lovers poison themselves. A doctor—Despina in disguise—uses magnets to cure the supposed suicides. The recovering suitors ask for a kiss and are rejected.

Act II

Despina tells the sisters to enjoy themselves. To protect their reputations, she’ll let it be known that the suitors are visiting her. Any fifteen-year-old girl should know how to handle such things! Dorabella decides to take the “dark one”—Guglielmo! She tells Fiordiligi that their hearts won’t change: Having fun while their fiancés are away is better than moping.

Each sister goes for a stroll with the other’s fiancé. Dorabella allows Guglielmo to give her a heart pendant in exchange for a locket with Ferrando’s portrait. Ferrando doesn’t fare as well with Fiordiligi, who, while attracted to him, is torn by guilt. Ferrando rejoices with Guglielmo that Fiordiligi has remained constant—until he learns that Dorabella has not. Guglielmo is somewhat disillusioned, but Ferrando is crushed.

Fiordiligi is in torment because she is not indifferent to her new suitor. Dorabella insists that she should give in to her feelings. Instead, Fiordiligi decides to visit Guglielmo on the battlefield. She sends Despina to fetch uniforms so the sisters can disguise themselves. Dressed in Ferrando’s uniform, Fiordiligi is surprised by Ferrando, who demands she love him or run him through with a sword. She yields.

It is now Guglielmo’s turn to feel betrayed. The men wonder how they should punish their unfaithful fiancés. “Marry them,” Don Alfonso counsels. If these women can be fickle, imagine what others might be like. Everyone blames women, but he doesn’t, because he isn’t deceived: Women just are the way they are. “Così fan tutte.”

Despina reports that the sisters want to get married. She disguises herself again—as the notary. As soon as the wedding contracts are signed Ferrando and Guglielmo return without their disguises. They pretend outrage and leave to pursue the supposed suitors, returning half disguised. All three women are stunned. The sisters are embarrassed and sorry. Don Alfonso tells them he deceived them only to undeceive their fiancés. The four lovers quickly decide to look on the bright side of life.