Ina Kringelborn, Sandrina Claire Debono, Vespina Yves Saelen, Filippo Andreas Wolf, Nanni James Elliot, Nencio Orchestra Le Cercle de l'Harmonie Jérémie Rhorer, conductor (Festival de Aix-en-Provence, 2008) Published as a "Burletta per musica" (a comedy for music), L'Infedelta delusa is the earliest of Haydn's major works for the stage. The first performance, which took place on July 25, 1773, was in commemoration of the Princess Eszterhazy's (the sister of his employer, Prince Nikolaus Eszterhazy) name day, as stated in the dedication of the printed libretto (by Marco Cottellini). However, a second printing of the libretto, this time with a new inscription, reveals that it was re-staged on September 1 in honor of the Empress Maria Theresa, who went to Eszterhaza on occasion to hear operas. There is no record of L'Infedelta being performed again during Haydn's lifetime. In fact, it was not heard again in its original form until the 1950's when it was produced for Hungarian radio, and then staged in Budapest. Its only appearance in the interim was in the guise of a Viennesesingspiel, with a new German text by Hermann Goja, and the music rearranged by Gottfried Kassowitz (c.a. 1930). Ironically, the availability of reliable modern editions (most notably by H. G. Robbins Landon) and high-quality recordings has made L'Infedelta one of Haydn's more familiar and oft-performed comedies in recent decades, including productions in England, France, Sweden, Germany, and the United States. Act 1 Filippo, brother and sister Nanni and Vespina, and rich farmer Nencio admire the beauty of the summer evening. Filippo is concluding a deal with Nencio. Sandrina, Filippo's daughter enters, the others leave her alone with her father, who tells here that he has found her a husband. She protests that she loves only Nanni but Filippo dismisses the thought of her marrying a poor man. When Nanni arrives, Sandrina is sad, and torn between love for him and respect for her father. Nanni vows vengeance on Filippo and the man chosen to be Sandrina's husband. In a room in Nanni and Vespina's house; Vespina sings of the pain of love but longs for its pleasures. She reveals that she is in love with Nencio, whose behaviour puzzles her. Nanni tells her that Nencio wishes to marry Sandrina and both swear vengeance. Outside Filippo's house, Nencio sings a serenade to Sandrina. Vespina and Nanni eavesdrop on him as he asks Filippo to send Sandrina to him. Despite Sandrina's tears, Nencio says he will marry her come what may. Vespina enters and slaps him; Nencio and Filippo refuse to budge, Vespina and Nanni are furious while Sandrina laments her predicament.