L'infedeltà delusa (‘Deceit Outwitted’), Joseph Haydn’s early two-act Burletta per musica, was composed in 1773. The libretto, by Marco Coltellini, is a delightful exploration of human foibles and the complexities of romantic relationships: through a series of humorous misunderstandings, miscommunications and mistaken identities, the characters find themselves caught up in a tangled web of deception. Haydn’s playful ensembles, charming arias and lively finales perfectly match the turns and twists of the plot, and his skilful orchestration and melodic invention add dramatic depth and enhance the comic elements. Though not as frequently performed as some of the composer’s later works, L'infedeltà delusa remains a testament to Haydn’s wit and ingenuity as well as his undoubted mastery of the comic opera genre. 

 Music example (pdf)