Cosi is an Opera Buffa
first written by Mozart 1790. It
is amazing to me these operas are written so long ago and is still performed
for audiences today. Talk about
immortality. The title means “Thus
Do They All” or “School for Lovers”.
Don Alfonso challenges
his friends, Ferrando and Guglielmo to test the fidelity of their fiancees,
Fiordiligi and Dorabella.
Alfonso tells the young
women that their fiancées have been summoned for active military duty. They depart as the women declare their
love and that they will wait for their return.
Ferrando and Guglielmo
return to the town, but disguised as Albanians. They begin to woo Fiordiligi and Dorabella, but they
switch. They woo each other’s fiancée
to see which one will fail. Slowly
but surely Fiordiligi and Dorabella fall for their suitors and a there is a
celebration of their engagements.
Ferrando and Guglielmo
reveal who they are and the women are devastated. But the men forgive their fiancées when Don Alfonso advises
them to forgive and forget.
It was enjoyable, but we
prefer the Italian operas. Also, I love Mozart’s music, but not too crazy about
his Operas.
