Così fan tutte

What exactly is being taught here? »La scuola degli amanti«, »The School for Lovers« is the subtitle of Lorenzo Da Ponte’s libretto (the poet actually intended it to be the main title). Don Alfonso’s primary educational goal as the »old philosopher« is to dispel all illusions about love and fidelity. En route, the lovers are instructed in all the primary and secondary topics of a complicated (love)life. Trust, seduction, deceit, surrender. The final conclusion that leads to the title, »That’s how they (women) all are«, needs not be the end of the education. What they make of this assumed recognition is a question for all participants.