Cosi Fan Tutte – Leeds Grand Theatre and Opera House Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Lisa Harris
Mozart’s comedic look at love, truth and fidelity tells the tale as old as time when we are encouraged to remember be careful what you bet on!
Così fan tutte or its alternative title – The school for lovers – returned to the stage in Leeds on Friday evening and tours from here.
Two sisters are put to the fidelity test by their fiancés in disguise, following a bet that they will not remain faithful if tempted. A light-hearted and humorous exploration of love and romance with elements of seduction, revelations and surprises develops as we watch 24 hours unfold.
COSÌ FAN TUTTE was written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1790 and first performed in Vienna. Opera North first performed it in 1982 in Leeds and the first performance of this production was 2004 in Leeds.
This opera is sung in English with English subtitles displayed on screens at either side of the stage it made the story easy to follow and ensured none of the one liners were missed.
Mixed with some stunning vocals the humour within this story and the lyrics that depicted it were unexpected for me. At a length of almost 3 hours including the 15-minute interval I was prepared to find this a ‘long watch’. However, truthfully, when the interval came around, I was surprised and again as the story concluded as it simply had not felt that long. Testament to the absorbing story, music, fine voices, and lyrics.
In act 1 Don Alfonso (Quirijn de Lang) bets his friends, Ferrando (Anthony Gregory) and Guglielmo (Henry Neill) that their lovers the sisters Fiordiligi (Alexandra Lowe) Dorabella (Heather Lowe) would not be faithful if tested. With both confident they have nothing to lose they agree to follow his instructions for 24 hours to win the bet. The women are devastated when they are told the men are going to serve in war. The depth of operatic despair is dramatic to say the least and makes for great engagement with the characters.
Alfonso bribes their servant Despina (Gillene Butterfield) to introduce them to “mysterious foreign suitors” who are, in fact, the men in disguise. Initially rejected by the women the men seem to take poison in dramatic fashion, enter “the doctor” (Despina in disguise) to save them from death with magnets in what turns out to be one of the funniest scenes.
In Act 2 the sisters unwittingly choose each other’s real-life suitor, with Despina and Alfonso subtly encouraging the relationships to develop to win the bet. While one sister is quickly drawn in the other fights guilt and despair – these parts of the story producing some of the most beautiful operatic drama of the show. Who knew that so much sitting on chairs, lying on the floor and sung angst could be so engaging!?
A lawyer (again, Despina in disguise) is unsurprisingly on hand to navigate a hasty wedding ceremony, which is interrupted by the army’s return and Guglielmo and Ferrando reveal themselves to a duped Despina and the sisters – Alfonso won his bet, and each character is lyrically affronted by being duped by someone along the way
Conducted this evening by Clemens Schuldt and on other occasions Chloe Rooke (Opera North Debuts) and directed by Tim Albery this production is cleverly set in a small space with essentially a table and chairs for props. The Set and period Costumes were designed by Tobias Hoheisel and lighting was designed by David Finn.
Sitting in row I which was the 4th row this evening, the view was fantastic, and the seats are comfortable. To note is the Stalls are at a slight angle, so be careful how you put down any bottles of water as they may roll off!
The performance was without question engaging and the audience was absorbed in the story, often chuckling along whilst being moved by the beautiful operatic voices. Particularly to note were the voices of Spanish born British Soprano Alexandra Lowe (Fiordiligi) who was making her Opera North Debut, and Heather Lowe (Dorabella) who is also a trained ballet and ballroom dancer and has appeared in 4 other Opera North productions.
The comedy performance of Gilene Butterfield (Despina), an experienced member of Opera North since 2006 was notable and the character very likable despite her morals!
Not really a performance for children, it is however a great production to cut your opera teeth on if you are new to the experience of opera.
Information provided by the production: “Following their run in Leeds, Così fan tutte and the double bill will tour to venues across the north of England, including Nottingham Theatre Royal, Newcastle Theatre Royal and The Lowry in Salford, with performances of Così Fan Tutte also planned at Hull New Theatre. At every venue, Under 30s can watch a performance for just £10, while through Try it ON, newcomers to opera can enjoy some of the best seats in the house with two tickets for £20 each. In addition, free tickets are available for 16 to 20-year-olds at all performances in Leeds”.
Rating: 4/5
Buy your tickets here: https://www.operanorth.co.uk/whats-on/cosi-fan-tutte/
https://leedsheritagetheatres.com/whats-on/opera-norths-cosi-fan-tutte/
Leeds Grand Theatre and Opera House 46 New Briggate, Leeds LS1 6NU