Other meanings of Così fan tutte
Television
Così fan tutte is a 2019 Italian television series created by Luca Guadagnino and Francesco Piccolo, loosely inspired by Mozart's opera of the same name. The series, which premiered on Sky Atlantic in Italy, reimagines the opera's themes of love, fidelity, and deception in a contemporary setting. It stars Alba Rohrwacher and Lino Guanciale as a married couple whose relationship is tested by a provocative experiment. The show received critical acclaim for its bold narrative and visual style, and it was later acquired for international distribution by HBO.
The series transplants Mozart's 1790 opera Così fan tutte to modern-day Rome, where a married couple, Giulia and Andrea, agree to a daring test of fidelity proposed by a charismatic friend. The plot mirrors the opera's structure: the couple's partners are swapped in a masquerade, leading to emotional turmoil and unexpected attractions. Unlike the opera's comedic tone, the series adopts a darker, more psychological approach, exploring the fragility of trust and the fluidity of desire. The title, which translates to "Thus do all women," is retained but reframed to critique gender stereotypes rather than endorse them.
Guadagnino, known for his visually lush films like Call Me by Your Name, brought his signature aesthetic to the small screen. The series was shot on location in Rome and the Lazio coast, with cinematography by Michele Cherchi. The soundtrack blends classical arias with contemporary electronic music, reflecting the show's dual nature. The production was a collaboration between Wildside and Sky Studios, with Guadagnino directing all episodes. The series was praised for its high production values and its willingness to take risks with a beloved operatic source material.
Critics lauded the series for its intelligent script and strong performances, particularly Rohrwacher's portrayal of Giulia. The show was noted for its exploration of contemporary gender dynamics, infidelity, and the ethics of experimentation in relationships. Some reviewers drew parallels to the #MeToo movement, as the series questions who holds power in romantic games. The series was also compared to other operatic adaptations on television, such as La Traviata (2019), but distinguished itself through its unflinching realism. It won the Nastro d'Argento for best TV series in 2020.
Few viewers know that the series was originally conceived as a feature film, but Guadagnino expanded it to eight episodes to allow for deeper character development. The character of the manipulative friend, played by Edoardo Leo, was inspired by the opera's cynical philosopher Don Alfonso, but was updated to a modern-day life coach. The series includes a subtle homage to Mozart's music: each episode title is a line from the opera's libretto. Additionally, the show's international version on HBO was re-edited with different pacing, and a second season was planned but ultimately canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.1
This article focuses exclusively on the 2019 TV series, not the opera.
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