La finta giardiniera

Synopsis

The action takes place over one day, at the home of Don Anchise

One night a year ago, provoked by groundless jealousy, Belfiore violently attacked his lover Violante. Believing he had inadvertently killed her, he fled the scene, not knowing that Violante was in fact only injured. Together with her trusted servant, Roberto, she decided to disappear, to consider how best to take revenge on her lover for his action. Under the assumed names of Sandrina and Nardo, the two are currently working, unknown, at the home of Don Anchise.

Act I

Don Anchise’s niece is to be married from her uncle’s house, and final arrangements for the wedding are underway. Violante and Roberto are helping the housekeeper, Serpetta, with the preparations while Don Anchise and his friend, Ramiro, look on. Only Don Anchise, in love with ‘Sandrina’, is truly happy. Ramiro is bitter because his fiancée has left him, Violante is disturbed by Don Anchise’s affection for her, Roberto is frustrated by Serpetta’s indifference towards him, and, wanting her employer herself, Serpetta is angry that she has a new rival.

Alone with Roberto, Violante explains how troubled she is by Don Anchise’s love, and suggests that they leave his house. Roberto advises her to pretend to return Don Anchise’s affections, but she is anxious at the thought of doing so.

Arminda, Don Anchise’s niece, arrives, shortly followed by her fiancé. Arminda notices his roving eye and warns him what will happen if he is unfaithful.

In conversation with Violante, Arminda mentions that her fiancé is Belfiore; hearing that her lover is to be married, Violante promptly faints from shock. Called to help, Belfiore is bewildered to discover that the unconscious woman is the double of the lover he believed dead. Violante revives and, as Belfiore tries to work out if it is really her, Ramiro encounters Arminda; she is the woman who abandoned him, and each is astonished to discover the other at Don Anchise’s house. Serpetta tries to convince Don Anchise that ‘Sandrina’ is in love with Belfiore, but Roberto contradicts her. Violante appears to be on the verge of revealing her true identity, but then denies it.

INTERVAL

Act 2

Ramiro promises revenge on Arminda for her inconstancy, before she, in turn, accuses Belfiore of infidelity with ‘Sandrina’.

Belfiore encounters the mysterious woman again, and is convinced she is Violante. She once again denies it, but Belfiore is entranced. He begs her to look kindly on him and she seems to be softening, when they are discovered by Don Anchise. Belfiore runs off, leaving Violante to placate Don Anchise’s anger with feigned flattery.

Ramiro smugly brings news that Belfiore is wanted for the murder of the Marchesa Violante. Arminda is horrified, and begs her uncle to save her fiancé. Don Anchise questions Belfiore, who inadvertently implicates himself. Before any action can be taken, ‘Sandrina’ appears and declares that the Marchesa is not dead, and that she herself is Violante. Belfiore is delighted but, as the others leave in confusion, she denies it for a third time, claiming to have pretended to be Violante only to exonerate him. Belfiore feels he is losing his mind.

Serpetta brings news that ‘Sandrina’ has run away, and Don Anchise immediately organises a search party. In fact, she has been abducted by Arminda, and misunderstandings arise as the household looks for her in the darkness. Accusations are thrown until Belfiore and Violante, overwhelmed, lose their senses.

Act 3

Arminda demands that her uncle must force Belfiore to marry her, while Ramiro insists that Don Anchise should order Arminda to honour her original promise. Still raving, Violante and Belfiore pursue Roberto. He manages to distract them, and makes his escape. Ramiro tries again to arouse Arminda’s love. She rejects him once more, and he swears to make her suffer.

Violante and Belfiore awake from a deep sleep, restored to sound mind. Violante confesses her identity at last. Neither is able to leave the other, and the two are reconciled. Arminda returns to Ramiro, and Serpetta accepts Roberto.