The Friends of Oxford Botanic Garden & Arboretum Opera - Le Astute Femminili

The opera, is a dramma giocoso ( a drama with jokes) in four acts with a libretto by Giuseppe Palomba. Composed in the Neapolitan style it was premiered in Naples in August 1794 and remained very popular during the first quarter of the 19th Century, with a London performance in 1804. This New College performance provides a rare opportunity to see a high spirited opera which is not often performed these days.The story line features Bellina, an orphan and the difficulties her father's will places on her and her guardian Don Romualdo: she can only claim her large dowry if she marries the crude and cowardly Don Gianpaolo Lasagna. The plot focuses on the efforts to rescue Bellina including those by two buffoons disguised as Hussars, whose incompetent disguise includes them speaking in wild and broken German.The opera will be performed in the lovely surroundings of the Warden's Garden at New College, or in the chapel if wet. There will be a 75 minute interval for picnicking in the cloistersFunds raised for this evening will be in aid of the 400th Anniversary Paths Appeal, further information is available here:-https://www.development.ox.ac.uk/botanic-garden