Wichita State University’s Opera and Musical Theatre Series will present “Cosi fan tutte” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 19-21, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22, in Miller Concert Hall.

The opera, by W.A. Mozart and L. Da Ponte, will be presented in Italian with English titles. “Cosi fan tutte” translates to “They All Do It.”

Can women be faithful? That’s the question posed by the greatest writing team of the 18th century. Two young soldiers are convinced their girlfriends are incapable of fidelity. Their cynical older friend maintains that “they all do it.” The witty, sophisticated comedy, subtitled “The School for Lovers,” features Mozart’s melting melodies and Da Ponte’s enlightened script.

The plot centers around a wager: The young soldiers bet their older friend that their sweethearts will remain faithful to them, even if they are called off to war. To test the girls, they fake a departure but return disguised as “Albanians.” The bogus foreigners proceed to court the girls, who at first reject them. But spurred on by their misogynistic maid, the girls eventually agree to a date. Confusion, jealousy, forgiveness and, finally, wisdom result.

The opera’s six characters are played by WSU graduate and undergraduate students sharing the roles, and Opera Kansas artistic director Edward Ehinger as the cynical Don Alfonso. Mark Laycock conducts the WSU Symphony.

Fiordiligi will be portrayed by Jessica Walkup/Cearria Turner; Dorabella by Danielle Rohr/Erin Mundus; Despina by Leanne Scaggs/Meghan Zuver; Ferrando by Theodore Dvorak/Aaron Short; Guglielmo by Kyle D. Wheatley/Matthan Black; and Don Alfonso by Ehinger/Yung Jin Lai.

The first cast member listed after the character will perform Nov. 19 and Nov. 21; the second cast member listed will perform Nov. 20 and Nov. 22.

National Opera Week

Wichita State University is participating in a nationwide celebration of the thrilling art form that is opera. Professional companies, community groups and university programs are all helping to spotlight operatic activities. WSU’s production of “Cosi fan tutte” is part of this new initiative.

Opera Talks

Ticket holders are invited to join Marie Allyn King, director of WSU Opera and Musical Theatre, 30 minutes prior to each performance for an informal and entertaining talk about the history of the opera, the plot and musical structure, composer and librettist. Opera Talks take place in Miller Concert Hall.