Arianna (1998)

Venere tells her son, Amore, that Teseo, the Athenian hero who has killed the Minotaur, will arrive on Naxos only to abandon his new bride, Arianna. Venere also predicts the arrival of Bacco, the god who, with Amore’s help, will fall in love with Arianna.

Teseo arrives with his soldiers, trophies, and Arianna. Arianna is tormented by the fact that, by helping Teseo kill the Minotaur, she has betrayed her parents and her country. He comforts her, and they seek shelter for the night.
That night, Teseo reproaches himself for thoughts of abandoning Arianna — she did, after all, save his life — but his counselor insists that he leave her behind on Naxos. Teseo decides that reputation and ambition are more important to him than Arianna and prepares to set sail without her. The fishermen of Naxos reflect on the duty of kings and sing a hymn to the dawn.

Arianna, distraught at being unable to find Teseo, is comforted by Dorilla. They set off for the shore. The fishermen discuss the meaning of Teseo’s departure and compare the art of politics with their own simple lives.

A messenger describes how Teseo’s ships slipped away and how Arianna, upon seeing them disappear, rushed into the sea in a vain attempt to follow. She is rescued by fishermen, who express their pity at her fate.

Arianna laments Teseo’s departure, and Dorilla tries to comfort her once more. The trumpets of approaching ships are heard, and Arianna and Dorilla rush to the shore, hoping it is Teseo returning.

A messenger announces the arrival, not of Teseo, but of Bacco. When he arrives on shore, Bacco immediately falls in love with Arianna.

Amore summons the gods to witness the happy occasion. Venere greets the couple, and Giove appears to summon them to heaven. As Bacco’s soldiers sing a joyful chorus, he tells Arianna that her reward is to be loved by a god.

Just as Norina receives a despairing note of farewell from Ernesto, Malatesta arrives to engage her in his scheme to outwit Pasquale. She is to impersonate his virtuous sister, go through a mock wedding ceremony with Pasquale, then turn around and drive him mad with outlandish demands. Norina delightedly agrees.