Arias:
In uomini, in soldati -- Despina's aria from "Cosi fan tutte"
In uomini, in soldati, sperare fedelta? In men? In soldiers you hope for fidelity?
Non vi fate sentir, per carita! For pete's sake, don't let anyone hear you!
Di pasta simile son tutti quanti, They're all made of the same dough.
Le fronde mobili, l'aure incostanti Windblown branches, changeable breezes
Han piu degli uomini stabilita! Have more stability than men!
Mentite lagrime, fallaci sguardi False tears, suspicious glances,
Voci ingannevoli, vezzi bugiardi Deceiving voices, lying vices
Son le primarie lor qualita! Are the foremost of their qualities!
In noi non amano che il lor diletto, They only love us when it suits their delight,
Poi ci dispregiano, neganci affetto, Then they disparage us and deny us affection,
Ne val da barbari chieder pieta! It's useless to ask their pity!
Paghiam o femmine, d'ugual moneta Let's pay them back in their own coin,
Questa malefica razza indiscreta. This accursed, indiscreet race.
Amiam per comodo, per vanita! Let's love for our convenience and vanity!
Text by Lorenzo da Ponte
Translation by Naomi Gurt Lind
Una donna a quindici anni -- Despina's aria from "Cosi fan tutte"
Una donna a quindici anni A woman of 15 years
De'e saper ogni gran moda Must know all the good methods,
Dove il diavolo ha la coda Where the devil keeps his tail,
Cosa e bene, e mal cos'e. What's good and what's bad.
De'e saper le maliziette She must know the little malices
Che innamorano gli amanti That enamour lovers:
Finger riso, finger pianti To feign laughter, to feign tears,
Inventar i bei perche. And invent good reasons.
De'e in un momento dar retta a cento She must pay attention to a hundred at a time
Colle pupille parlar con mille Speak through her eyes with a thousand
Dar speme a tutti, sien belli o brutti, Give hope to all, be they handsome or ugly,
Saper nascondersi senza confondersi, Know how to obfuscate without getting confused
Senz'arrossire saper mentire. And know how to lie without blushing.
E qual regina dall'alto soglio And this queen from her high throne
Col posso e voglio farsi ubbidir. Can make them obey with, "I can," and "I want."
(Par ch'abbian gusto di tal dottrina, (It seems they like this doctrine,
Viva Despina che sa servir!) Long live Despina, who knows how to serve!)
["Serve" is meant with a double meaning:
Literally, Despina is a servant; plus, she is
dishing up some salty advice.]
Text by Lorenzo da Ponte
Translation by Naomi Gurt Lind 
