La finta semplice

The Pretended Simpleton

opera buffa in three acts

• Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, K. 51 (KE 46a)
• Librettist: Marco Coltellini
• Source: drama of the same name by Carlo Goldoni
• First performance: Palace of the Archbishop, Salzburg, 1 May 1769
• Performance History

Dramatis Personæ

Fracasso, a Hungarian captain lodging with Cassandro (tenor)

Rosina, his sister, a baroness (soprano)

Cassandro, a tyrannical misogynist (bass)

Polidoro, his timid brother (tenor)

Giacinta, their sister, evidently no longer young (mezzo-soprano)

Simone, Fracasso's orderly, in love with Ninetta (bass)

Ninetta, Giacinta's maid (soprano)

Setting: Cassandro's estate near Cremona; mid-18th century