Così fan tutti

18 Jan 2005

Tori and I saw Così fan tutti by Mozart at the Sydney Opera House (Opera Theatre) tonight, which was great! The production was very cleverly produced in a surprisingly contemporary style, without diluting any of the original humour. Notably, actors stage directions in one scene are derived from an apparently innocuous simile likening the “Albanian” lovers to (what I think were) moths (or something like that) — they then proceed to move about the stage in a moth-like manner, dancing around the two sisters for much of the rest of the opera!

Scene changes were managed very cleverly (although slightly inconsistently with the rest of the production), as stage hands dressed as courtiers appear at the direction of one of the principals (perhaps by a hand clap, or other gesture) and rearrange the set accordingly. I say “inconsistently” because (and this was Tori’s observation) most of the other characters weren’t dressed in period costume! Still, it was transparent and inobtrusive: very well executed.

As for the actors (what exactly do you call them in opera? Are they still actors? Or singers? Is it safer just to stick with artists/performers?!) themselves, they were enthusiastic, clear, and apparently having a great time on stage (which, of course, rubs off on the audience — especially good in a comedy). Brilliant, we had a great time.

Così fan tutti is being performed at the Sydney Opera House Opera Theatre until January 27.