Synopsis
Guglielmo and Ferrando, two wealthy young officers, are having an argument with their poet friend, Don Alfonso. They say that their girlfriends have sworn to be faithful forever, whereas Don Alfonso claims that it's not in women's nature to be constant. He bets them that he can prove this by the end of the day, and the two gladly accept, stating that they will do whatever their friend tells them to without question.
Meanwhile, the girls, Fiordiligi and Dorabella, are at home in Ferrara swooning over portraits of their darling soldiers. Don Alfonso bursts in and tells them that Guglielmo and Ferrando have been called away to war suddenly and want to say goodbye. After tearful farewells all round, the boys depart, leaving the girls to wonder what will become of their fiances and their future security. Their maid, Despina, tells them in no uncertain terms that they ought to play the field while the men are away, and see if they can manoeuvre themselves into the paths of other rich men. She has just been introduced to two such men by Don Alfonso: some young Algerians who are, of course, actually Guglielmo and Ferrando in diguise...
At first, Fiordiligi and Dorabella are horrified that two suitors have been brought into their house so soon after their lovers have left but, over the course of the day, their resistance is worn down by the men's good looks, charm and sizeable wallets. Will they manage to keep their virtue and faith in tact in the face of such prospects?
Meanwhile, the girls, Fiordiligi and Dorabella, are at home in Ferrara swooning over portraits of their darling soldiers. Don Alfonso bursts in and tells them that Guglielmo and Ferrando have been called away to war suddenly and want to say goodbye. After tearful farewells all round, the boys depart, leaving the girls to wonder what will become of their fiances and their future security. Their maid, Despina, tells them in no uncertain terms that they ought to play the field while the men are away, and see if they can manoeuvre themselves into the paths of other rich men. She has just been introduced to two such men by Don Alfonso: some young Algerians who are, of course, actually Guglielmo and Ferrando in diguise...
At first, Fiordiligi and Dorabella are horrified that two suitors have been brought into their house so soon after their lovers have left but, over the course of the day, their resistance is worn down by the men's good looks, charm and sizeable wallets. Will they manage to keep their virtue and faith in tact in the face of such prospects?
