Don Alfonso, a confirmed bachelor, makes a bet on women's fidelity with Ferrando and Guglielmo, two engaged, young officers. If they agree to give him one day and do everything he asks, Alfonso will prove their fiancées, Fiordiligi and Dorabella are like all other women, disloyal. The girls are told that their men have been ordered to the front and are encouraged by Despina, their chambermaid, to find new lovers. Despina introduces them to two Albanian men (Ferrando and Guglielmo in disguise) and the men proceed to passionately woo each other's betrothed. At first the girls spurn their advances, but many twists and turns later, they fall for their new admirers and marry them. In the end, the girls realize they've been duped but all is forgiven as they all accept the fickleness of life.