Cosi fan Tutte (2012)

Cosi Fan Tutte is a wonderful introduction to opera and is much loved by fans, and follows on from Carmen and La Boheme. Melbourne Opera has again assembled a superb cast for this production under the direction of leading director Suzanne Chaundy.

Renowned for her fresh outlook on the repertoire, Chaundy has updated the traditional story to 1960s Melbourne, when strict moral values are challenged by free love. Don Alfonso, local Bar and Pizzeria owner is somewhat jaded by his experience in love and challenges two young Vietnam soldiers to put their very traditionally raised Italian migrant girlfriends to the test. This involves the boys pretending to be “called up” to the despair of their girls but actually returning as Love Gurus to sweep the girls off their feet.

All this is aided and abetted by the far more worldly Despina. Confusion and high comedy ensues, combined with a somewhat more serious examination of the nature of love and attraction. Regarded as one of Mozart and Da Ponte’s greatest achievements, the opera features arias and ensembles unmatched in their musical and dramatic perfection.

PRESS & REVIEWS
“The extremely strong alternate cast demonstrates the depth of Melbourne Opera’s talent pool.”— Simon Parris