“La finta semplice”: Mozart before his prime, yet dazzling with brilliance
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was 12 years old when, at the request of the imperial court in Vienna, he composed the three-act opera “La finta semplice.” Unfortunately, Giuseppe Afflisio, the court theatre leaseholder at the time, refused to stage the work, doubting the genius of a child and fearing public embarrassment. As a result, the premiere did not take place in Vienna, but a year later – on 1 May 1769 – in Salzburg. Though the opera failed to win the approval of Vienna’s theatres in the 18th century, it now captivates audiences with its energy, wit, and – paradoxically – its maturity.
The libretto, written by Marco Coltellini and based on a comedy by Carlo Goldoni, tells the story of Rosina, who pretends to be simple-minded in order to help her brother Fracasso marry his beloved Giacinta. What is the catch? Her two brothers, the grumpy misogynist Cassandro and his naïve younger sibling Polidoro, won’t allow the marriage unless they themselves are wed first. Rosina steps in, seduces both men, and sparks a series of comic intrigues – hoping to pave the way for Fracasso and Giacinta’s love. Cunning meets immaturity, and emotion collides with calculation. Yet everything unfolds in a spirit of comedy, with the lightness and brilliance characteristic of young Mozart.
This staging of “La finta semplice,” created by emerging artists, will be the final premiere of the 6th edition of the Mozart Junior Festival. The production is directed by Jitka Stokalska, with Tomasz Pokrzywiński as music director. Musically, the performance is enriched by the participation of Trio Bastarda, known for their innovative interpretations of early music, as well as invited instrumentalists performing on both classical and contemporary instruments. The opera will be performed in a Polish translation by Dorota Sawka.
Who? What? Where? When?
“La finta semplice” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Warsaw Chamber Opera / Basen Artystyczny
July 3, 4, 5, 6, 2025