Background on the Opera

Così fan tutte was commissioned by Emperor Joseph II after a successful Figaro revival in August of 1789. Although elements of the story can be found in earlier literary works, Lorenzo da Ponte's libretto is original.

Rehearsals were held at Mozart's apartment on December 3, and in the theater in January, most likely with Franz Josef Haydn in attendance. The opera premiered at Vienna's Burgtheater on January 26, 1790, but only had five performances before the death of Joseph II closed the theatres in February. The production re-opened in June for five more performances.

Subsequent productions of Così fan tutte traveled throughout Germany in German translation. The perceived "immorality" of the story led to marked alterations to the plot. In some early versions the women learn of the scheme and hatch a plan of their own for revenge. Today, the original version of Così fan tutte is now an established repertory piece in opera houses worldwide. It premiered in the United States at the Metropolitan Opera on March 24, 1922.