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The scene is Naples. Ferrando and Guglielmo are betrothed
to Fiordiligi and Dorabella, two sisters from Ferrara. They are convinced of the girls’ fidelity.
Don Alfonso, on the other hand, claims that all women are fickle and makes a wager with Ferrando
and Guglielmo that he can prove it.
Don Alfonso deceives the sisters into believing that their lovers have enlisted in the
army and must leave for war. Once tearful farewells have been made,
Alfonso persuades the sisters’ maid, Despina, to introduce two young ‘Albanians’
(in fact Ferrando and Guglielmo in disguise) to Fiordiligi and Dorabella. Each ‘Albanian’
then begins to court the other’s fiancée.
They begin to soften the sisters’ resolve by pretending to take poison.
Despina, disguised as a doctor, successfully ‘cures’ the two supposed foreigners.
When Ferrando hears that Dorabella has given her heart to Guglielmo,
he becomes even more determined to win Fiordiligi’s heart.
Eventually, after much soul-searching, Fiordiligi too succumbs and a double wedding
is planned. Despina, again in disguise, is the notary with the marriage contract.
Just as the army is heard returning, the Albanian newlyweds make an exit and Ferrando
and Guglielmo make a reappearance. Producing a marriage contract, they remonstrate
with the sisters who soon confess to their infidelity. After paying Alfonso his wager,
Ferrando and Guglielmo forgive Fiordiligi and Dorabella. It seems that all is well
that ends well.
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