La finta giardiniera
Synopsis

ACT I

In the early 1960s on the large estate of Don Anchise, mayor of a medium-sized Italian town, preparations are being made for the marriage of Anchise’s niece, Arminda, to Count Belfiore. The gardener, Sandrina (really the Countess Violante, believed to have been killed by the aforementioned Count Belfiore, her fiancé) and her assistant, Nardo (in actuality, Roberto, Violante’s servant who saved her life) are busy working in the garden. Don Ramiro, former lover of Arminda, is a houseguest of Don Anchise. There is also Serpetta, the household maid, who was hoping to be the lover of the much older Don Anchise but who has been supplanted by Sandrina of whom Don Anchise is enamored. Ramiro, recently jilted by Arminda, vows to never have another serious relationship. Don Anchise confesses that whenever he is near Sandrina he hears flutes and oboes yet fears her rejection, at which point he hears timpani and violas. Sandrina talks of her attempted murder and thanks Nardo for saving her life as he poses as her cousin. She laments the fact that Don Anchise is pursuing her so intensely and complains that women are too often forced to be victims. Nardo sympathizes with his boss but believes that his love for Serpetta is a bigger challenge than anything anyone else is facing at this point. The very demanding Arminda arrives, making everyone’s life a misery. She is soon followed by Count Belfiore who woos Arminda, comparing her to the sun. She agrees to love him as long as he stays faithful to her. Otherwise, she will have to resort to physical means to control him. Serpetta complains that the household is in chaos. She and the older Nardo debate whether it is better for her to have a young lover or a mature lover. She speaks of her many lovers and how they fawn over her while she acts demurely with them to make them want her more. Sandrina sings of a bird, quivering for her lover but remaining alone. Arminda introduces herself to Sandrina and explains that she is about to marry Belfiore. Sandrina, overwhelmed, faints. Arminda runs for help and leaves Belfiore to take care of Sandrina. He recognizes Sandrina as Violante. Arminda is confused by what Belfiore is saying. Ramiro sees Arminda and chaos ensues when Don Anchise, Nardo and Serpetta get involved in the mayhem.

ACT II

Ramiro and Arminda are arguing and Arminda confesses her love for the Count. As Ramiro storms out, the confused Count enters and unsuccessfully tries to convince Arminda that he loves her. She vows revenge on him although it is a half-hearted vengeance. Serpetta tells Nardo that she can only love him if he can act more refined, like a man of the world. He approaches her as a passionate Italian, a suave Frenchman, and a proper British nobleman but she playfully rejects him. After he leaves, Serpetta confesses that she is falling for him but can’t get past the fact that he is the hated Sandrina’s cousin. Sandrina comments on her strange life: in the presence of her fiancé who tried to kill her and who is now engaged to someone else. She and Belfiore have a tense confrontation where she denies being Violante to him. Ramiro arrives with a warrant for Belfiore’s arrest for the murder of Violante. Belfiore is quizzed by Anchise. Belfiore admits that he doesn’t know if Violante is alive or dead. As Anchise accuses Belfiore of Violante’s murder, Sandrina enters and dispels the rumors of murder by admitting that she is indeed Violante. All are confused and leave Sandrina and Belfiore alone. Sandrina tells Belfiore that she only admitted to being Violante to save his life. Belfiore, thoroughly confused, has a mini-breakdown. Nardo enters, looking for Sandrina. Ramiro and Anchise enter and are interrupted by Serpetta, shouting that Sandrina has disappeared. All exit to find her, leaving Serpetta to confess that the only way to get through life is to not make waves. Sandrina is lost in a forest, trying to escape the untenable situation at Don Anchise’s house. Everyone is searching for her and total insanity reigns.

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ACT III

Nardo, having returned to sanity, discovers Sandrina and the Count, dazed and still not themselves. They both try to make love to Nardo and he deftly escapes. As dawn arises, Sandrina and Belfiore imagine that the moon and the stars are falling. They run off, fearing that the world is ending. Arminda badgers Don Anchise to allow her to marry Belfiore while Ramiro demands that she marry him. Arminda admits to Ramiro that she has mistreated him badly but that it is over between them. Ramiro, heartbroken, wishes Arminda nothing but pain. Violante (no longer Sandrina) and the Count have come to their senses, find themselves alone in a field. She admits that she is indeed Violante but not the tame Violante from a year ago. She is going to marry Don Anchise. They agree to part but keep being drawn back together. Finally, they admit that they love each other and run off. Don Anchise and the others enter and Nardo tells them that Sandrina and the Count have gotten married. All are shocked. Sandrina explains that she is indeed Violante. Arminda admits that she has been wrong about everything and asks her uncle to allow her to marry Ramiro. Serpetta asks to be allowed to marry Nardo who has been revealed to be Violante’s servant, Roberto. Don Anchise agrees to both marriages and vows to never think of marriage for himself again unless it is to someone as wonderful as the pretend gardener, Sandrina.

—Ken Cazan