Così - Re-imagined
In this touring version of Mozart's comic opera Così fan tutte, with a new English script by Director Bronwen Stephens-Harding, Rogue Opera presents a compact production re-imagined in a modern setting. The basic premise of the opera - that all women are fickle - is not taken as a given as we explore the assumptions and values of the characters and their approach to love and fidelity. Rogue Opera’s Così fan tutte is set in a modern-day New York City of bankers and socialites, where wealth and excesses – a flamboyant fusion of The Wolf of Wall Street, Clueless and Gossip Girl – spawn extravagant lifestyles, cynical manipulations and ridiculous bets. Appearances and the pursuit of status overshadow genuine connection, creating the perfect setting for this humorous dramatic exploration of trust, attraction, desire, temptation and human fallibility.
The original plot is zany and convoluted and the happy ending (Mozart's and ours!) are very contrived, but the beauty of Mozart's music conveys deeper passions and truths about the complicated world of human relationships.
The show has two acts, with an interval between them.
The opera is sung in the original Italian, with English dialogue. The online program guides the audience through the story, with translations of the libretto.
Così fan tutte – Libretto Translation
Note on the Translation
Rogue Opera performances are sung in the original language, so the audience can experience the compelling combination of word and music created by the librettist and the composer. Our translation helps you follow the intricacies of the plot and the subtleties of the interchange between characters.
The challenge of translation is keeping as close as possible to the original while achieving a fluent rendering in English. Choosing to set Così fan tutte in the present has meant striking a balance between the original text and modern usage which reflects this new setting. Some of the more dramatic – to our ears perhaps melodramatic passages – have been reworked, although the essential intention of the words and the underlying emotions have been retained. There is also a wealth of both adoring and insulting terms to describe and address the characters. Many of these, and the classical references which are often used, are now archaic, so finding modern equivalents has meant taking some liberties with the original text, while remaining true to its tone and meaning.
Da Ponte cleverly uses rhyming in much of the libretto; it is hard to do the same in English without distorting the meaning, so this is one aspect not reflected in this translation. The flow, playfulness and drama of the Italian can still be heard, beautifully captured in Mozart’s score, so the impact of Da Ponte’s creative genius is not lost.
Follow the story below and click on the V icon for translations of the lyrics.
Scene 1
A Friday afternoon in NYC, Don Alfonso, a multi-millionaire trader is at a liquid lunch with his juniors, brothers Ferrando and Guglielmo. They are celebrating a big trade by Don A, but he soon gets bored and decides to liven up his weekend by a bet with the brothers that he can prove in 24 hours that their girlfriends, Fashionista sisters, Dorabella and Fiordiligi, who have their own brand FioraBella Lifestyle, are like all women and will cheat on them at the first opportunity.
– The brothers are convinced of their girlfriends' fidelity –
FERRANDO
My Dorabella wouldn't, couldn't do that:
she’s as true as she's beautiful.
GUGLIELMO
My Fiordiligi would never think of betraying me:
she’s as devoted as she's gorgeous.
DON ALFONSO
My years bear out what I’m saying;
but enough of this argument.
FERRANDO AND GUGLIELMO
No, you've told us they could be untrue;
if you really mean it, you’ll prove it.
DON ALFONSO
Forget about proof.
FERRANDO AND GUGLIELMO
No, that’s exactly what we want:
or it’s daggers drawn and the end of this friendship,
It really gets to me when you say such awful things about her.
– Don Alfonso maintains female fidelity is as rare as the phoenix; Ferrando and Guglielmo claim that's exactly what the sisters are –
DON ALFONSO
Women's constancy is like the Arabian phoenix;
everyone says it exists, but no one knows where.
FERRANDO
Dorabella is a phoenix!
GUGLIELMO
Fiordiligi is a phoenix!
DON ALFONSO
It's neither one nor the other. It never existed and never will.
Constancy in women is like the Arabian phoenix;
everyone says it exists, but no one knows where.
– The brothers celebrate the power of love –
FERRANDO
I want to arrange a lovely serenade for that goddess of mine.
GUGLIELMO
To celebrate our love I want to give a banquet.
DON ALFONSO
Am I invited?
FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO
Yes, you will be, boss.
FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO, DON ALFONSO
And we’ll make many toasts to love!
– Dorabella and Fiordiligi praise their boyfriends' good looks –
FIORDILIGI
Look, sister, look! Could you ever find more beautiful mouth, or a nobler face?
DORABELLA
Just look at this! What fire in his eyes, as if they’re flashing flames and sparks!
FIORDILIGI
It’s the face of a soldier and a lover.
DORABELLA
It’s a face that’s both alluring and unnerving.
FIORDILIGI
I’m so happy!
DORABELLA
How happy I am!
FIORDILIGI AND DORABELLA
If my heart’s desire ever changes, let love make me suffer for the rest of my life.
– Don Alfonso arrives with unwelcome news for the sisters –
DON ALFONSO
I’d like to tell you, but I don’t have the heart:
I’m babbling. I’m lost for words; I can’t get them out.
What will you do? What shall I do?
Oh what terrible bad luck! It couldn’t be worse.
I’m so sorry for you and for them.
– Dorabella and Fiordiligi lament the imminent departure of the brothers, who say they have no choice but to leave –
GUGLIELMO
Oh God, how reluctant I feel to face her.
FERRANDO
My lips are trembling too much to speak.
DON ALFONSO
In the most terrible moments a hero shows what he’s made of.
FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA
Now we’ve heard the news, there’s just one little thing for you to do: be brave… and break our hearts.
FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO
My darling, fate is to blame for having to abandon you.
DORABELLA
No, you shan’t leave...
FIORDILIGI
No, you cruel creature, you shan’t go...
DORABELLA
And before you do, I’ll tear out my heart.
FIORDILIGI
And before you do, I just want to die at your feet.
FERRANDO
What do you say to that?
GUGLIELMO
Don’t you see?
DON ALFONSO
Steady, friend, don’t count your chickens… .
ALL
This is how fate steals away our hopes. With so much bad luck, who can truly love life?
– The lovers bid a heart-broken farewell; Don Alfonso finds their protestations of devotion amusing –
FIORDILIGI
Say you’ll write to me every day... Promise me, my life...
DORABELLA
And you... write to me... twice a day… if you can...
GUGLIELMO
Absolutely... my love...
FERRANDO
You can be certain of that... my dearest...
DON ALFONSO
I’m about to split my sides laughing.
FIORDILIGI
Be true to me – no-one else.
DORABELLA
Stay faithful to me.
FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA, FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO
Farewell, farewell! My heart is breaking, my lovely darling! Farewell, farewell!
DON ALFONSO
I’m about to split my sides laughing.
– Don Alfonso, Dorabella and Fiordiligi farewell the brothers, wishing them a safe journey –
DON ALFONSO, DORABELLA, FIORDILIGI
Let the winds be gentle
Let the waves be calm
And let all the elements
Grant our wishes.
– Dorabella leaves no one in any doubt as to her anger and upset at the disastrous news about Tasmania –
DORABELLA
Are you mocking my grief?
Who can comfort me?
Please, go, for pity’s sake!
Leave me alone.
And if I do survive
my dreadful sighs
will show the fates
a wretched picture of tragic love.
– Despina has a cynical view of men and believes women should look out for themselves in love –
DESPINA
To hope for fidelity in men, in soldiers?!
Don’t let anyone hear you, for heaven’s sake!
All men are made of the same stuff;
swaying branches and fickle breezes
are more constant than men.
Lying tears, false looks,
deceitful voices, lying charms
are their main qualities.
It’s only their pleasure they love in us,
then they dismiss us and deny us affection,
and it’s no good asking pity from the brutes.
Women, let us pay
this vile, arrogant breed
with the same coin.
Let us love for our own convenience and dignity.
– Having let Despina in on his plan, Don Alfonso secures her assistance with a bribe. He then introduces her to the "Canadians" –
DON ALFONSO
I’ll introduce you, my friends, to the lovely Despina;
The consolation of your heart depends entirely on her.
FERRANDO AND GUGLIELMO
By your hand, which I kiss with delight, by your graceful manner,
make my beloved look at me with her clear and lovely eyes.
DESPINA
What a sight! What clothes! What faces! What moustaches!
I can’t work out if they’re from Canada or the Canaries.
DON ALFONSO
What do you think of how they look?
DESPINA
To be quite frank with you, their faces are extraordinary, areal cure for love.
FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO AND DON ALFONSO
Now the plan is quite decided;
if she doesn't recognise us/ them, there's no more need to fear.
FIORDILIGI AND DORABELLA
Oh Despina! Despina!
DESPINA
The ladies!
DON ALFONSO
Now's the moment! Use your wits: I'll hide in here.
FIORDILIGI AND DORABELLA
You’re out of line, young woman!
What are you doing there with these people?
Send them off right now, or you'll all be sorry.
DESPINA, FERRANDO AND GUGLIELMO
Ah, ladies, pardon! You see here, pining at your feet,
two wretched admirers, who only want to worship you.
FIORDILIGI AND DORABELLA
Oh my god! What am I hearing?
Whose shameful idea was this monstrous betrayal?
DESPINA, FERRANDO AND GUGLIELMO
Please, calm down!
FIORDILIGI AND DORABELLA
I can’t contain myself anymore!
My heart…, my soul… I’m outraged and furious!
DESPINA AND DON ALFONSO
I'm a bit suspicious of this rage and fury!
FERRANDO AND GUGLIELMO
How my heart delights in all this rage and fury!
FIORDILIGI AND DORABELLA
Forgive me, beloved; my heart is innocent.
– Guglielmo paints a lavish picture of how smitten the "Canadians" are with the two sisters –
GUGLIELMO:
Return his gaze and you’ll see how it is:
Everything says: I’m frozen, I’m burning,
my darling, take pity on me,
I’m burning, I’m frozen, I’m burning,
My darling, take pity on me.
And you, sweet one, for just one moment
turn your beautiful eyes to me
and you’ll find there what my lips don't know how to say.
A love-struck Romeo is nothing compared to me;
a mortally wounded hero counts for nothing next to him:
My sighs are like fire, his desires are armour-plated
So if we’re talking of merit, I am sure and he is certain
You won’t find our equals from Vienna to Canada.
The two of us are rich as Elon, handsome as a Hollywood star.
As for love, compared to us, Romeo would be a clown.
We’re stronger than a gym junkie
and we’d score off the charts on Book Tok.
If we dance, Fred Astaire would yield the floor.
If we sing, a single note puts all those pop stars to shame.
And we have some other assets that no-one knows about yet.
– Indignant at Don Alfonso's introduction of the "Canadians", Fiordiligi sings of the sisters' steadfast love, claiming any attempt to seduce them is pointless –
FIORDILIGI
As a rock remains unyielding against winds and storms,
our spirit is always strong in faith and love.
Inside us is a guiding light to encourage and comfort us.
And only death could change our heart’s affections.
How insensitive, show some respect for our loyalty,
and don’t let your crude hopes inspire any more rash behaviour.
–The brothers are convinced of their girlfriends' fidelity and Ferrando sings of the sustaining power of love –
FERRANDO
Being loved by our gorgeous girls fills our hearts with sweet hope,
and there’s nothing more that’s needed for them to keep us hooked.
– Fiordiligi and Dorabella bemoan being left on their own by Ferrando and Guglielmo –
FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA
Ah, how in just a single moment my fate was changed.
Life is an ocean of torment for me now.
As long as uncaring fate let my beloved stay with me,
I didn’t know what grief was, I didn’t know what it is to suffer.
FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO
Let us die, yes, let us die, and fulfil this callous fate!
– When Don Alfonso turns up again with the two drunken "Canadians", Dorabella and Fiordiligi are somewhat concerned by their sorry state but more so, by the trouble it might cause them –
FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA
I’m petrified by this dire sight!
ALL
The light is fading. I’m trembling, my senses are failing, I can’t speak.
FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA
Somebody! Come quickly! Somebody!
Oh God, no-one can hear us! Despina! Despina!
– With someone arriving to discuss the Met ball, the sisters are in a predicament but still need to tend to their drunken guests –
FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA
Omigod, what an ordeal! It couldn’t be worse!
FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO
It couldn’t be funnier!
FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO
They’re both getting more amenable; you’ll see, their compassion will end in love.
FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA
Poor things! I’d cry if they were to suffer much more.
– Despina (in disguise) persuades the four young people into a series of amorous poses; the brothers join in with gusto; the sisters have to play along, reluctantly –
FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO
Where am I? What’s this place?
Who’s he? Who are they?
Am I in heaven? Are you Athena, or Venus?
No, you’re my soul, my goddess;
I recognise your sweet face and your dear hand – which I treasure.
FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA
That may be true, but all these simpering looks could ruin our reputation.
DESPINA, DON ALFONSO
They’re still affected by the drink. No need to worry.
FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO
I want to laugh so much my lungs are about to burst.
– Emboldened by the previous antics, Ferrando and Guglielmo ask for a kiss. The sisters are incensed; Don Alfonso and Despina encourage them to play along –
FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO
Give me a kiss, my darling, just one kiss, or I’ll die right here.
DESPINA, DON ALFONSO
Be kind and humour them.
FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA
That’s asking too much of a true and faithful woman;
given my love and devotion, it’s outrageous.
DESPINA, FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO, DON ALFONSO
You wouldn’t see a more amusing sight in all the world.
What makes me laugh the most is their anger and their rage.
FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA
You desperate, drunken men, go to hell, both of you!
You’ll be sorry, if you make me even angrier.
FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO
But I don’t know if their anger and rage are fake or real.
And I wouldn’t like all that fire to end in a blaze of love.
– Dorabella and Fiordiligi leave, fired up with righteous indignation. This display convinces Ferrando and Guglielmo that they have won their bet –
INTERVAL
– Dorabella is taken with the idea of making a splash at the Met ball; Fiordiligi is hesitant. Despina claims women must use their wiles to make their way in the world –
DESPINA
A woman, at the age of fifteen, has to know what’s going on,
who’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing, what is good and what is bad.
She must know the little tricks that make lovers fall in love,
how to feign laughter and tears, invent fine excuses.
At any moment, she must pay attention to a hundred men,
talk with a thousand with her eyes.
Encourage them all, handsome or ugly,
know how to blend in without disappearing or blushing,
know how to lie, and like a queen high on her throne,
saying “I can and I will”, make herself obeyed.
It seems they like this concept. Long live Despina, who knows how to serve.
– Dorabella persuades Fiordiligi that a little flirtation is harmless –
DORABELLA
I'll take the dark-haired one, who’s wittier, I think.
FIORDILIGI
And for now, I'll have a laugh and a joke with the blond.
DORABELLA
I'll answer his sweet nothings with something light-hearted.
FIORDILIGI
And I’ll sigh just like him when he sighs.
DORABELLA
He'll say to me: My love, I'm dying!
FIORDILIGI
He'll say to me: My dearest darling!
FIORDILIGI AND DORABELLA
And for now, how much fun I'll have!
– Don Alfonso and Despina endeavour to smooth over the awkward feelings left by the last encounter between the sisters and the over-amorous "Canadians" –
DON ALFONSO
Give me your hand, and move over a little!
If you won’t speak...I’ll speak for you.
Anxious and undeserving, he asks you to forgive him;
he can see he was offensive but only for a moment;
now he’s suffering in silence...
FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO
In silence...
DON ALFONSO
Now he’ll leave you in peace...
FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO
In peace...
DON ALFONSO
He can’t have what he wants,
he’ll want what he can have.
FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO
He can’t have what he wants,
he’ll want what he can have.
DON ALFONSO
Come now, what do you say!
How could you look at them and laugh?
DESPINA
I’ll give them the answer for you.
What’s been, has been; let’s forget the past.
Let’s start again on equal terms.
Hold me in your arms, and we’ll have no more sighing.
DESPINA, DON ALFONSO
For heaven’s sake, let’s go; we’ll see what they will do.
I’d admire the girls more than anything if they don’t give in now.
– Left alone with Dorabella, Guglielmo charms her with the gift of a heart-shaped locket –
GUGLIELMO
I give you this heart, my darling;
but I want yours in return; come on, give it to me.
DORABELLA
You've given it, and I take it, but I won’t give you mine;
you’re asking me vain, it’s no longer mine.
GUGLIELMO
If it’s not yours, why is it beating here?
DORABELLA
If you gave it to me, whatever is throbbing there?
DORABELLA AND GUGLIELMO
It’s my tiny heart, that’s no longer mine;
it’s yours now and beats like that.
GUGLIELMO
Let me put it here.
DORABELLA
It can’t go there.
GUGLIELMO
I can see through your tricks.
DORABELLA
What are you doing?
GUGLIELMO
Don’t look.
DORABELLA
I feel my heart might explode!
GUGLIELMO
(Poor Ferrando! It didn't seem possible.)
Now look at me with your pretty eyes.
DORABELLA
What is it you want?
GUGLIELMO
See, doesn't that look better?
DORABELLA AND GUGLIELMO
What a happy exchange of our hearts and affections!
What new delights! What sweet pain!
– Fiordiligi is surprised by an attraction to Ferrando and reproaches herself for her feelings –
FIORDILIGI
For pity's sake, my darling, forgive this failing in my love;
God, I will keep it hidden in the shadows forever.
And who is it I’ve failed with my vanity and ingratitude?
My darling, your trust deserved better than this!
– Confident in Fiordiligi's love for him, but a little cocky at having seduced Dorabella, Guglielmo tries to soften the blow for Ferrando by describing women as lovable but fickle –
GUGLIELMO
You women, you take in so many men that, to tell you the truth,
when lovers complain I start to feel sorry for them.
I’m fond of women; you know that, everyone does;
every day I show you what a friend to women I am.
But this duping of so many men, it’s an annoying little habit.
You’re delightful, you’re loveable, you have very many virtues
and all the charms in the world.
But you take in so many men, it's incredible.
And if your lovers vent their frustration, it's absolutely with good reason.
– Ferrando feels betrayed but cannot deny his love for Dorabella –
FERRANDO
My thoughts and feelings are so conflicted and confused!
This is all so new and strange that no-one can guide me at all.
Alfonso, Alfonso, how you’ll feel like laughing at my stupidity!
But I’ll get my own back, I’ll obliterate that vile woman from my heart...
Obliterate her? Omigod, my heart feels for her too much.
Cheated and mocked by that treacherous heart, deep down, I still adore her.
I can hear the echoes of my love defending her.
– Dorabella relishes the delights of an illicit affair –
DORABELLA
Love is a little thief, love is a tiny serpent.
It gives our hearts peace and takes it away, on a whim.
As soon as it opens a path to your heart through what you see
it puts your spirit in chains and takes away your freedom.
Love is a little thief.
It brings sweetness and pleasure, if you let it;
but fills you with misery if you try and fight it.
If it lodges in your heart, if it takes you by surprise there,
do everything it demands, and I’d do the same too.
– Ferrando woos a despondent Fiordiligi, who succumbs to his words of love –
FERRANDO
Look at me favourably.
It’s only in me you’ll find a husband, a lover, and more if you want;
my darling, don’t wait any longer.
FIORDILIGI
For heaven’s sake! You’re relentless, you’ve won...
Do what you want with me.
FIORDILIGI, FERRANDO
Hold me tight, darling, and let’s hope this bliss
and our sighs of pleasure will ease all the trouble they’ll cause.
– Don Alfonso sees no reason for the sisters' infidelity to cut across the brothers' original plans for marriage – after all, that's just how women are. Despina overhears this plan and decides enough is enough –
DON ALFONSO
Everyone accuses women, and I excuse them,
if their love changes a thousand times a day,
some call this a vice, others a custom,
and to me it seems what the heart requires.
A lover who ends up disillusioned,
shouldn’t blame another’s mistake, but his own.
We’ve been here before,
young and old, beautiful and ugly, repeat after me:
All women behave like this.
– Despina and Don Alfonso are finalising arrangements for the Met ball entrance of the four lovers. Despina reveals the deception to the sisters but urges them to play along for a little longer –
DESPINA
Hurry up, my friends, turn up the lights,
and make sure the room is gorgeously stylish!
The celebration is all set;
and everything’s in place for the event to begin.
DON ALFONSO
Bravo! Bravo! Excellent! How magnificent! How elegant!
The guys will both really appreciate it.
Now our two couples are approaching;
give them a round of applause,
and let’s crank up the fun with some cheerful music.
DESPINA, DON ALFONSO
It couldn’t be any funnier!
– Reeling from Despina’s shocking exposé, Fiordiligi and Dorabella endeavour to keep the farce going, while Ferrando and Guglielmo waver between anger and determination to see the bet through –
FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA, FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO
It looks like everything is set for sheer delight and love!
We can thank dear Despinetta for that.
– They toast one another with complete insincerity –
FIORDILIGI, FERRANDO, DORABELLA
And in your glass and mine, let every care be drowned,
and let no memory of the past linger in our hearts.
GUGLIELMO
They should be drinking poison, these shameless cheats.
– Tension builds as the pretence is captured on camera for posterity –
FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA, FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO
Bravo! Bravo! Come over here, right away.
DON ALFONSO
Let me call it... now here, over here… there!
FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA, FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO, DON ALFONSO
Great! Really great!
FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA, FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO
It’s out there now! We believe you, we trust you, we’ll post it. Let me see.
DESPINA, DON ALFONSO
Great! Really great!
DON ALFONSO
For heaven’s sake! Omigod! What a horrible situation!
FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA, FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO
What am I hearing? How cruel is fate! What can we do at a time like this?
FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA
God help us!
DON ALFONSO
Cheer up!
FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA
God, show us what to do!
DON ALFONSO
Calm down!
FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA
Who can save us from this catastrophe? Who?
DON ALFONSO
You can trust me. Everything will be OK!
FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA
So many dreadful thoughts are tearing at my heart;
if they discover our deception, whatever will happen to us!
– Ferrando and Guglielmo accuse the sisters of betrayal; the women profess an exaggerated regret –
FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO
Good heavens! You’ve put it in a post: it’s no use denying it now.
How deceitful! It’s all in the open now, and what flows from this will be truly terrible!
FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA
I’m utterly guilty, and I deserve your worst punishment.
– Dorabella, Fiordiligi and Despina are disgusted at the brothers' proposal and turn on Don Alfonso, who initiated the whole shemozzle –
FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA, DESPINA
Heavens! What am I seeing?!
FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO, DON ALFONSO
They’re stunned!
FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA, DESPINA
I can’t bear this pain!
FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO, DON ALFONSO
They’re half mad!
FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA
There’s the heartless guy who tricked us!
– Don Alfonso insists they can all be reconciled; Despina is less convinced such deception can be glossed over –
DON ALFONSO
Join hands: you’re back together.
Have a hug and say no more about it.
All four of you should laugh now;
I already have and I will again.
FIORDILIGI, DORABELLA
My darling, if this is true,
I’ll give you my loyalty and love
in return for your devotion.
I’ll adore you forever.
FERRANDO, GUGLIELMO
I believe you, my gorgeous delight;
but I’m not sure I want to test her.
DESPINA
I don’t know if I’m awake or dreaming,
I’m confused and embarrassed.
But it's not so bad, if they’ve tricked me,
I’ve tricked lots of people, too.
– The opera ends with the upbeat advice to look on the bright side of life –
ALL
It’s a fortunate person who takes everything for the best,
and in whatever happens is guided by reason.
What would make others cry is cause for laughter,
and amid the world’s turmoil a beautiful calm will be found.