Domenico Cimarosa was riding high on the triumphant success of Il matrimonio segreto when he embarked on the ‘commedia per musica’ Le astuzie femminili in 1794. The narrative for this opera revolves around the clever and resourceful Bellina, who devises a plan to avoid an unwanted marriage while gaining a large inheritance and marrying her love Filandro. Styled somewhere between Mozart and Rossini, Cimarosa’s witty and tender score includes deliciously comical moments such as Filandro’s outlandish Italian-German imitation of a Magyar officer. The spirited performance and lively pace of this opera buffa accounted for its acclaimed reception at the 2022 Reate Festival.

“The execution was flawless. Alessandro De Marchi is one of the most internationally appreciated conductors of the 18th-century repertoire and he was magnificent both for his philological rigor... and for the ductility necessary to make Cimarosa’s freedom and originality shine.” – Il giornale della musica.it

“...For the Reate Festival 2022 Le astuzie femminili were represented in an integral manner and with philological rigor, with the exact sequence of musical numbers and using original instruments to be, as the organizers specify, to all intents and purposes a first performance edition in modern times...

“...All the singers, however, provided an interpretation entirely in line with the directorial setting, contributing decisively to the success of the evening...

“...We conclude with the instrumental part which was another interesting and valuable element of the evening. Alessandro De Marchi has given the performance very ‘theatrical’ rhythms and tempos which have enhanced the evolution of the plot without neglecting the pathos of the more lyrical moments.”

Cast:
- Bellina: Eleonora Bellocci (soprano)
- Ersilia: Martina Licari (soprano)
- Don Giampaolo Lasagna: Rocco Cavalluzzi (bass)
- Don Romualdo: Matteo Loi (bass)
- Filandro: Valentino Buzza (tenor)
- Leonora: Angela Schisano (alto)

Director: Cesare Scarton
Set designer: Michele Della Cioppa
Costumes designer: Anna Biagiotti
Lights designer: Andrea Tocchio