Così fan tutte (1790) is an odd duck within the Mozart/Da Ponte’s nice triple play that features The Marriage of Figaro and Don Giovanni; it was the final of their opera collaborations. Così is the one I appreciated least on first viewing and that I now look ahead to essentially the most for seeing once more. On my first viewing, a Met Opera on-line video, I assumed Così was a foolish, unrealistic opera with a dismal ending, although with some good music and vocals; I used to be proper, on one degree. Every viewing after that grew to become extra unsettling, inflicting me to ask myself what was happening. I nonetheless look ahead to seeing new productions of Figaro and Giovanni, primarily due to the chance to see new performers in new productions. Within the case of Così fan tutte, the opera alone is entrance and middle in making me look ahead to one other viewing; it’s grow to be an outdated pal.
All of it begins with a wager, as Ferrando (left, Lunga Eric Hallam) and Gulielmo (proper, Kyle White) confront Don Alfonso (middle, Wm. Clay Thompson). Photograph by Shannon Flack; courtesy of Wolf Lure Opera.
Two further elements piqued my curiosity for this efficiency. First, I’ve come to understand Lee Anne Myslewski, Vice President of Opera and Classical Programming at Wolf Lure, for her sturdy advocacy for gender and racial fairness in opera productions; take a look at the range in WTO’s performers and artistic employees assembled for every opera. Così has a robust aspect of misogyny, starting with the title that means “all girls are like that”, with the “like that” being untrue to their lovers. One thing new for this model of Così was certain to be afoot. Secondly, a very good Così requires six sturdy singer/actors and once I appeared on the backgrounds and accomplishments of the forged of rising artists assembled by Wolf Lure Opera, I grew to become much more excited to be attending, and my instincts proved to be sound.
Dorabella (left, Erin Wagner) and Fiordiligi (proper, Renée Richardson) are distraught whereas Despina (middle, Emily Treigle) seems on. Photograph by Shannon Flack; courtesy of Wolf Lure Opera.
Remember it is a comedy, and in reality, it has many amusing moments. The plot that librettist Lorenzo da Ponte and composer Amadeus Mozart assembled for Così has two younger males, Guglielmo and Ferrando, agreeing to a plan to check their fiancées’ faithfulness as a wager with an older gentleman, Don Alfonso, who insists that devoted girls are as actual because the Phoenix. The lads fake to go to struggle and are available again disguised as Albanian gents who will woo their loves, the sisters Fiordiligi and Dorabella of their absence. With Alfonso’s planning and assistance from the sisters’ extra worldly-wise maid Despina, the plan works; the women ultimately succumb to the Albanians’ advances and deceptions. Don Alfonso consoles the fellows with phrases they need to forgive and proceed to marry their girlfriends as a result of they actually love them, and so they can’t do any higher, i.e., all girls are like that. What led to my response on seeing Così for the primary time was that every one the motion takes place in sooner or later. The sooner or later was evidently a requirement of works of this sort of their day, however the women are imagined to be in love and planning to marry the fellows after which fall in love and conform to marry the Albanians in the identical day? Plus, the disguises employed by the fellows and by Despina who seems as two different characters are apparent disguises used for humor; why can’t the individuals who know them higher see via them? All of this provides to the unreality of the opera, however the unreality could also be a purpose right here; it permits us to see and snort at our flaws. One critic referred to Così as much like a marionette present, unreal however nonetheless conveying a message.
Full forged of Così fan tutte together with singers (Filene Artists) and refrain (Filene Studio Artists). Photograph by Shannon Flack; courtesy of Wolf Lure Opera.
The rub is available in Così fan tutte’s decision present in traditional productions. Don Alfonso’s cynicism is validated. Despina is disillusioned. The younger lovers are resigned to marry, a troubling destiny given what simply transpired. This pleased ending sits like a little bit of undigested dinner within the stomachs of the viewers. We’re left hanging, with the long run forward not clear, and Mozart and Da Ponte by no means composed Così: the Sequel. However isn’t that ending as actual or extra actual than Figaro’s love conquers all or Giovanni’s righteous decision? Ms. Myslewski in her program notice says it is a battle of the sexes the place neither gender wins. Sure, however what’s the struggle? I believe Conductor Brandes and Director Rigazzi had been on course in seeing the story as being concerning the lack of innocence. Isn’t the struggle the one going down inside ourselves, instructing us who we actually are, extra by defeats than victories? When our scenario modifications and challenges are confronted, what can we rely on from others, or from ourselves, for that matter. The solutions to these questions may be disillusioning and life altering. Così’s pleased ending is just not so pleased and life goes on. Whereas we’re laughing, Mozart/Da Ponte have thrown us a curve. The place are our real selves amongst our needs, wants, ambitions, and societal guidelines? They place the ambiguities in our laps to take residence; how will we cope with our failings? Maybe, they meant to unfold a message of the necessity for forgiveness given human frailty and inconsistency, however we’re left questioning if these younger persons are going to be alright? Are we going to be alright? For me, together with the music and vocals, that is what makes Così fan tutte nice and has me addicted. It’s all the time fascinating to see what spin a brand new director will placed on the ending. From right here on, there might be spoilers.
Ferrando (left, Lunga Eric Hallam) and Gulielmo (proper, Kyle White) disguised as Albanian strangers even idiot Despina (middle, Emily Treigle). Photograph by Shannon Flack; courtesy of Wolf Lure Opera.
Let’s transfer on to the great things we may be proud of. First, there may be Mozart’s music which is fabulous all through the opera. The conductor for this manufacturing is Christine Brandes, previously a performing soprano, who has turned her profession fully to conducting. Her debut as a conductor was with the Seattle Opera in 2023. The Wolf Lure Opera Orchestra is chamber-sized, about 30 musicians positioned within the small pit, with a harpsichordist and cellist, used for recitatives, positioned outdoors the orchestra pit. The music options many solo devices and small groupings in supporting singers and the temper of the scenes. I assumed the comparatively small measurement of the orchestra allowed me to listen to and recognize the completely different components of Mozart’s composition extra totally than I had in previous. I all the time felt the taking part in was spot on, pleasant actually, and that the singers had been effectively supported. I’ve to say I used to be impressed. Kudos to Maestro Brandes and thanks to the gamers. I additionally very a lot loved the contributions of WTO’s Studio Artists, much less skilled performers who served as a wonderful refrain; kudos to Refrain Grasp Michelle Papenfuss. Mozart’s music is unquestionably one of many components that retains me returning.
Mozart offered all six singers with the chance to sing each lovely solos and ensemble items that ranged from duets to sextets. I’ve all the time felt that Mozart was the champion of ensemble vocal composing, and Così is stuffed with them. The six soloists are Filene Artists and all however one are returning artists. All of those younger singers carried out effectively each appearing and singing. The position of Fiordiligi was sung by soprano Renée Richardson. She gave us a robust willed Fiordiligi who succumbed reluctantly and sang superbly in her increased vary, garnering applause for the opera’s best-known aria, “Como Scoglio” the place Fiordiligi declares her resolve to stay devoted; she additionally confirmed a fascinating decrease vary in a number of numbers. She sang a touching, “Per pietà, ben mio, perdona” the place she sings “pardon the error of a loving soul”. Ms. Richardson was effectively paired with mezzo-soprano Erin Wagner as Dorabella, who portrayed the extra romantically adventurous sister convincingly. Her voice has a horny timbre particularly within the softer vocals, and her torment in “ah, Scotati…Smanie implacabili” conveyed the humor and pathos of the aria. Ms. Wagner is a brand new Filene Artist. Despina was performed by mezzo-soprano Emily Treigle who was once more a bit hammy, however an on-stage charmer and scene stealer. As she has executed prior to now for WTO, she sang effectively with a stunning voice.
Fiordiligi (Renée Richardson) and Dorabella (Erin Wagner) attempt to drown their sorrows. Photograph by Shannon Flack; courtesy of Wolf Lure Opera.
Bass Wm. Clay Thompson sang the position of Don Alfonso authoritatively sufficient with a robust bass supply, although his youth made me surprise how he may have grow to be so jaded in his world view at that age; I’m shocked that nobody has tried to compose an opera titled “Don Alfonso, the Early Years”. Tenor Lunga Eric Hallam acquired onto my radar final 12 months in WTO’s glorious Semele. Mr. Hallam sang superbly with deep emotion saying how a lot his love meant to him after which later when confessing he nonetheless liked Dorabella regardless of her infidelity. That means it as a praise, I’m typically reminded of Lawrence Brownlee once I hear Mr. Hallam sing. Kyle White gave us a wonderful Guglielmo, singing effectively, although extra likeable because the younger man in love than the macho man bragging of his conquest of Dorabella.
WTO’s staging of Così was glorious general. The one room set in white offered a horny background focusing consideration on the singers. It was cleverly modified from saloon to drawing room, to dressing room, and so on, wanted for the completely different scenes; the stage’s body even added its personal adornments infrequently, minimizing disruption of the drama; kudos to Director Dan Rigazza and Scenic Designer Lawrence Moten. The costume design by Lynly Saunders and lighting design by Colin Ok Payments added to the efficiency. The airing of scene titles on the stage body equivalent to Spherical One and Spherical Two had been intelligent and amusing. Mr. Rigazza successfully introduced out the humor, preserving the viewers amused. I loved the looks of the Studio Artist as supernumeraries wearing white costumes for the wedding scene, giving the scene a Midsummer Evening’s Dream impact.
Fiordiligi (Renée Richardson) suffers going through her dilemma. Photograph by Shannon Flack; courtesy of Wolf Lure Opera.
Now, let’s speak concerning the ending. This was a reasonably full rendition, starting at 7:30 and working till after 11 pm. I used to be starting to really feel the necessity for sleep when the motion took an sudden flip. After women expressed regret for his or her infidelities, the fellows revealed the Albanians had been themselves in disguise. Understanding their deception and abuse, Fiordiligi and Dorabella flew right into a rage, cursing the fellows, and even referring to Don Alfonso as a chunk of excrement. Profanity and obscene gestures flowed, and the women stormed off; marriage ceremony plans appeared canceled.
It appeared like these romances are ended, however who can say what tomorrow or subsequent week may carry? Consider what you want, however “Così, the Sequel” nonetheless has not been written. This stormy ending appeared proper; it labored. The ladies deserved it and it match with the current occasions; it was enjoyable to see the ladies kick some butt. I had gone to sleep on the wheel and forgotten that this was WTO at work; I shouldn’t have been caught abruptly. That stated I used to be just a little bothered by the profanity, and on reflection, although all of it appeared effectively justified and well timed, I’m wondering what the viewers members felt going residence…that it added the suitable steadiness to the ending? That’s a very good factor, however did the ending reprisal let the viewers off the hook, to go residence and neglect about it.
Ferrando (Lunga Eric Hallam) ponders the lack of love. Photograph by Shannon Flack; courtesy of Wolf Lure Opera.
BTW, dramaturg Cori Ellison had the next assertion in her program notes: “Finally, the boys had been in love with mere photographs of their fiancées and the ladies had been in love with love.” Hmmm. That’s a tidy assertion that enables us to nod and put this murals away, case closed. Boys might be girls and boys will declare to like them anyway. However is it that easy? Was there actually no real love felt by Fiordiligi who suffered so or by Ferrando who claimed he nonetheless liked Dorabella? Are members of a gender all like that? Così fan tutte…it’s difficult. Put your fear caps again on.
The Fan Expertise: Performances of Così fan tutte had been scheduled for June 21, 23, 27, and 29 within the Barns at Wolf Lure. The opera is sung in Italian with English libretto proven overhead. The efficiency lasted just a little over 3.5 hours.
For this efficiency, the stage was prolonged out and round a gap for the orchestra pit. I used to be seated near the stage and with this association the quantity of the orchestra was tremendous the place I sat. The Barns is a comparatively small theater. The benefit of this association was that the performers may transfer out nearly shut sufficient to the touch the viewers. A lot of the opening for the orchestra pit was netted in case anybody forgot the place they had been. Often one may see Conductor Brandes’s palms waving at stage degree out of the orchestra pit.
The Barns general is a superb venue for opera, intimate with good acoustics. Even the seats on the again and within the balcony are comparatively near the performers, however a few of these within the very entrance and within the again on the ground lack a view of the supertitles. The ground seats are usually not tiered however these within the balcony are; some balcony seats are restricted view by structural posts. Meals and drinks can be found earlier than the performances and through intermissions; drinks are allowed within the theater. Throughout DC’s scorching and humid summers, it has glorious air-conditioning. Parking is free, plentiful and is easy-in/easy-out.
