Dramma giocoso in three acts K. 196 (1774/75)
Libretto: Giuseppe Petrosellini

Belfiore believes he has killed his betrothed, Violante, in a fit of jealousy. He flees in panic – which does not prevent him from falling for Arminda, who then spurns her admirer Ramiro in favour of Belfiore. Violante, meanwhile, searches for her lover with her servant Roberto. Under a false name, she askes a post as gardener on the estate of Don Anchise; her servant passes himself off as her cousin. While Anchise pursues Violante, Roberto romances the maid. The labyrinth of pusuit and deception becomes completely entangled when Belfiore, his new conquest Arminda and her persistent admirer Ramiro turn up on the estate.

The Mozart 22 production of "La finta giar-diniera" was placed in the hands of Doris Dörrie, a noted filmmaker and, more re- cently, director of controversial opera productions. Asked why she set the work in a garden centre, Dörrie replied: "It’s a market of emotions! The plants represent feelings, the garden is our little paradiese. [...] We all have the same dream..., which is why we buy so much equipment, chemicals, even weapons to keep our garden under control. It must be kept in its boundaries, for just as an uncontrolled garden can mutate into a wild jungle, so can uncontrolled emotions, prolif- erating like wild plants become dangerous to us."

Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg

Recording dates: 27.01.| 29.01.| 01.02.2006
Venue: Salzburger Landestheater

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