Passioni e Inganni: Un Viaggio d’Amore e Tradimento (Passions and Deceptions: A Journey of Love and Betrayal)

Act 1: Il ritorno festivo (The Festive Return)

• Don Pietro Castelvecchio returns to Rome from war and celebrates his triumph with a grand villa celebration.

• His military success is echoed with acclaim in Vienna, enhancing his prestige.

• Luigi arrives at the celebration, instantly enamored by Mariangela Castelvecchio, Don Pietro's daughter.

• In romantic Verona, Mariangela and Luigi share their first interlude beneath a moonlit balcony, drawing parallels to timeless lovers.

• Benedetto Alberici and Enrichetta Cavalcanti begin exchanging clever, flirtatious banter, sparking comedic tension.

• Don Giovanni della Vescova, consumed by jealousy and envy, begins secretly scheming with Bramante Santoro and Cesare Monteni.

Act 2: Sussurri nell'ombra (Whispers in the Shadows)

• Under Don Pietro’s discreet guidance, Mariangela and Luigi begin a secret love affair in Florence.

• Tuscan countryside: They enjoy joyful wine tastings, tender harvests, and stolen kisses among golden hills.

• Amalfi Coast: Amid azure waters and dramatic cliffs, they share passionate boat rides, walk through lemon groves, and embrace under cascading bougainvillea at twilight.

• Cinque Terre: In colorful coastal villages, they hike along cliffside trails, enjoy seafood by candlelight, and whisper promises on moonlit terraces above the sea.

• Meanwhile, Don Giovanni’s envy intensifies, and he enlists Benedetto and Enrichetta—manipulating their flirtations into confusion and chaos.

• In Venice, Don Giovanni prowls the shadowy canals, meeting with Bramante and Cesare to finalize a plan of sabotage cloaked in secrecy.

Act 3: Il finto matrimonio (The Mock Wedding)

• Don Giovanni stages a scandalous fake marriage between Luigi and a noblewoman, making it seem Luigi betrayed Mariangela.

• Publicly shamed and confused, Luigi rejects Mariangela in Prague.

• In Paris, Benedetto’s teasing of Enrichetta continues, but she misinterprets it as rejection, leading to comic yet painful misunderstandings.

• The “courtship” becomes an absurd farce as Benedetto tries to win her attention through misguided gestures, further tangled by Don Giovanni’s interference.

• Don Pietro attempts damage control from Rome; Capitano Paolo starts noticing irregularities in court.

Act 4: Crepacuore e guarigione (Heartbreak and Healing)

• Heartbroken, Mariangela retreats to Pisa, where she hides her sorrow with noble composure, gaining public admiration.

• Benedetto and Enrichetta's antics evolve into vulnerability, and their playful facade begins to fade, revealing growing affection.

• Suspicions start swirling around Don Giovanni as inconsistencies and strange coincidences begin to surface.

• Whispers in Roman society grow; Don Giovanni faces quiet scrutiny as suspicions arise.

Act 5: Rivelazioni e Riunioni (Revelations and Reunions)

• In Rome, Don Giovanni’s deceit is revealed in front of the entire court; he’s humiliated and denounced.

• In Milan, Luigi pleads for Mariangela’s forgiveness—she accepts after a tender reconciliation.

• Benedetto and Enrichetta finally confess their true feelings without sarcasm or deflection.

• Capitano Paolo Buffonetti stumbles upon crucial evidence and, through comedic timing, becomes a celebrated hero.

• Lake Como: Mariangela and Luigi share serene boat rides, lakeside confessions, and embrace under starlight. Benedetto and Enrichetta share their first kiss by the water’s edge.

• Madrid: Final grand ball celebrating love and justice restored, with Mariangela and Luigi reunited, Benedetto and Enrichetta confessing love, and Don Giovanni’s exile sealed. 

Characters:

• Mariangela Castelvecchio – A refined and well-loved Roman noblewoman, daughter of the powerful Duke of Rome, Don Pietro. Mariangela is graceful, intelligent, and kind-hearted.

• Luigi Vitale – A young and noble Roman soldier, recently returned from a campaign. He falls in love with Mariangela at first sight.

• Enrichetta Cavalcanti – Mariangela’s witty, sharp-tongued cousin. Bianca is independent, charming, and has a mischievous side. She is not interested in settling down and enjoys teasing Benedetto.

• Benedetto Alberici – A nobleman from a neighboring city, known for his sarcastic humor and his playful, self-assured attitude. He is a long-time friend of Luigi and is always ready for a witty retort, especially towards Bianca.

• Don Pietro Castelvecchio – The Duke of Rome, who orchestrates much of the action and is Luigi’s commander. He’s wise, diplomatic, and enjoys the playful aspects of the city’s politics.

• Don Giovanni della Vescova – The scheming and brooding half-brother of Don Pietro, who dislikes the festive atmosphere of the Roman court and plots to create chaos. 

• Bramante Santoro – Don Giovanni’s loyal but easily manipulated accomplice.

• Cesare Monteni – Don Giovanni’s other ally in the deception plot, more loyal than intelligent.

• Capitano Paolo Buffonetti – a bumbling but well-meaning officer in the Roman city guard. His missteps add comic relief.

Primary Setting: Rome, Italy

Other Settings: Italy (Pisa, Florence, Venice, Verona, Milan, Lake Como, Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre & Tuscan countryside and vineyards) | Paris, France | Madrid, Spain | Vienna, Austria | Prague, Czechia