The first performance took place on 8 January 1812 at the Teatro San Moisè in Venice with Teresa Belloc-Giorgi and Filippo Galli (bass).

L'inganno felice is Rossini's third opera performed (after La cambiale di matrimonio and L'equivoco stravagante ) and was his first great success. In fact, the immediate success in Venice was followed not only by performances in many Italian and foreign theaters but also by the printing of the score and the full score, something quite rare at the time.