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Il mondo della Luna (1777) is a dramma giocoso by Joseph Haydn, set to a libretto by Carlo Goldoni (1707–1793), one of the most influential playwrights of the eighteenth century. The opera premiered at Eszterháza, the summer palace of Prince Nicolaus Esterházy, though many details about the original performances have been lost over time.

In the opera, the gullible Buonafede is tricked into believing he is travelling to the moon. This elaborate ruse leads to a series of comic entanglements, featuring brilliant arias and exuberant finales. As is often the case with opera buffa, the plot is swiftly resolved in the very short third act.

Due to a theatre fire in 1779, little of the original material was preserved, but the opera experienced a revival in the twentieth century and has since become one of Haydn’s most beloved stage works. The composer even reused some fragments in later compositions, further highlighting the enduring appeal of this music.

Il mondo della Luna

They say life on the moon is easy...
...and no one tells you whom you can or cannot marry.

Bonafede, a gullible and controlling father, believes he knows what is best for his daughters and keeps them under strict supervision. But the two young women dream of freedom and long to marry the men they love. When Bonafede refuses to give his consent, Ecclitico, a clever astrologer, devises an elaborate plan to outsmart him (and make some extra money in the process!). With the help of Ernesto and his loyal servant Cecco, they embark on a bold and comical adventure full of deception, disguises, and unexpected twists.