The character of Fiorilla, whose constantly changing affections form the center of the plot, was first essayed by Isabella Colbran whose presence must have led Rossini's imagination to great heights, as the role is characterized superbly through constantly witty, sparkling music, starting with her first entrance (presented here) and right up to her moving lament in Act Two; she shines forth more strongly than any of Rossini's other buffo characters, including Rosina, probably because Fiorilla is, in effect, a truly humane character, serious in both her infidelity and her later heartbroke at receiving news of her husband's supposed desire to divorce her.

Fiorilla's cavatina is actually a part of a longer scene which also includes her first duet with Selim (presented in the next upload) and is a perfect summation of her character. Unusually, the aria is built around the ABA structure, making it almost a da capo aria. The A section involves a perfectly flirty, sensuous appeal of the heroine to the audience, noting how impossible it is for her to love only one man. In the B section, she promptly compares herself with the wind and the river, constantly changing. "Why can't I be the same?" - concludes Fiorilla, and returns, completely logically, to her first idea: there is no greater pleasure than to be able to love many men.

Sumi Jo, though not ideally warm than possible, is both vocally and dramatically wonderful. Hope you'll enjoy :).

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