The Italian libretto was a shortened version of the one by Francesco Puttini set by Pasquale Anfossi for the opera of the same name given in Rome in 1776.

It was revived there in April 1785 when Haydn apparently had to re-create much of the opera from memory, the original having been largely lost.

The opera was recorded in May 1976 by Philips in association with the Radio Suisse Romande & European Broadcasting Union.

In 1980 the opera was given its United States premiere at the Caramoor Summer Music Festival with Kathryn Day as Rosina.

[2] Since 1980 the opera has revived on stage in Lyons (1980), Assisi (1982) Vienna (1982) Amsterdam (1990) and more recently, Reggio (2010) and London (2012).

Villotto is delighted by the idea of marrying Rosina but her brother Masino tries to convince him that he has no chance of winning her.

Lisetta adds to Masino’s confusion by declaring her love for him, and Errico decides to test Rosina’s constancy.

He speaks to her scornfully and offers her to Villotto, who has decided to escape from his predicament by seeking fortune in war.

The Count, delirious and horrified at the thought of the murderous orders he has given Villotto, imagines himself to be Orpheus in search of his wife, rushes off to find her.

Act 3 To separate Rosina and the Count, the Baroness has sent each a forged letter (supposedly written by the other) breaking off the relationship.

Other highlights are the four-part aria with horns and timpani for the Count “A trionfar t’invita”, Rosina’s laments “Dove fuggo” and “Care spiagge”.