Opera Scenes Synopses
February 6th, 2026
Scenes intros 2026
COSI FAN TUTTE
At a tennis club, military cadets Ferrando and Guglielmo are furious that their older friend and mentor, Don Alfonso, has accused their fiancées, Dorabella and Fiordiligi, of being incapable of being faithful. Alfonso proposes a monetary bet with the young men that he can prove his theory if the two men agree to do whatever he asks of them to help. The cadets agree and prematurely begin to celebrate their victory.
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DON PASQUALE
In order to thwart his artist nephew Ernesto from inheriting his sizable fortune, elderly Don Pasquale believes that he has married the perfect woman: silent, young and beautiful Norina. What the silly Pasquale doesn’t know is that the marriage is a sham, orchestrated for Norina to become a monster the moment the marriage papers are signed and make the old man regret his choices. She also is secretly engaged to Ernesto and is helping her fiancé win back his inheritance and more importantly, his uncle’s love. Things reach a peak as Norina has compiled a list of bills in her first day of “marriage” to Pasquale and plans to head to the theater on their wedding night, vowing he will see her when he wakes up the next morning.
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ROMEO ET JULIETTE
Mercutio, Romeo and a group of Montague men have infiltrated the coming-out/engagement party of Juliet Capulet, daughter of the mortal enemy of the Montagues, Lord Capulet. Romeo begs the men to leave because he has had a dream that this will end horribly. Mercutio reveals that Romeo has been visited by Mab, the Queen of dreams, and her fantastical entourage.
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I CAPULETI E I MONTECCHI
In a different telling of the Romeo and Juliet story, Juliet finds herself on the morning of her arranged wedding day, having not heard from her real love, Romeo, in several months. Dr. Lorenzo, a friend and mentor to the pair, brings Romeo to Juliet. Romeo begs Juliet to leave with him right then but she says that she can’t: honor and duty to her father holds her there. Romeo accuses her of not loving him but she argues that he must understand her position. Wedding music is heard in the distance. Romeo panics and insists that Juliet leave with him and is hurt when she asserts that for his safety, he must leave. Lorenzo re-enters and drags Romeo off as Juliet composes herself to face her unhappy fate.
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FIDELIO
Marzelline, the daughter and bookkeeper for her father, a political prison warden, is perpetually bothered by Jacquino, assistant to her father, who wants to marry her. She feels bad for Jacquino with whom she has flirted in the past. Unfortunately for him, Marzelline has fallen in love with Fidelio, a new worker at the prison. Having successfully gotten rid of Jacquino for the moment, Marzelline fantasizes about marriage and life with Fidelio.
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L’ELISIR D’AMORE
Nemorino, a field hand, is deeply in love with Adina, the wealthy, young owner of a successful winery. She always treats him badly, making him feel incapable and stupid. With the news, however, that Nemorino has inherited a large amount of money, all of the women on the farm have begun to chase after him. Adina, seeing the women all over him, reassesses her feelings for Nemorino, and realizes that she cares deeply for him. In a fit of anger, Nemorino has bought his way into the Italian army. Adina re-purchases his obligation from the army, making Nemorino a free man. She finally admits that she loves him and they run off to face life together.
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DIE ENTFÜHRING AUS DEM SERAIL
Konstanze, a British noblewoman, her servant, Blonde, and her fiancé, Belmonte’s servant, Pedrillo, have been kidnapped by the powerful Pasha Selim. After months being trapped in the Pasha’s palace, Belmonte sneaks into the palace. They are overjoyed to be back together. Belmonte, however, asks Konstanze if she is in love with the Pasha and Pedrillo asks his girlfriend, Blonde, if she has been faithful to him. There is a hurt, angry moment after which both men beg for the women’s forgiveness. The women generously relent and after singing a joyful hymn to love, all run off to prepare their escape from the palace.