Cosi Fan Tutte – Lowry Theatre, Salford

Music: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Libretto: Lorenzo da Ponte

Director: Tim Albery

Conductor: Justin Doyle

Reviewer: Ruth Lovett

The Public Reviews Rating:

Cosi fan tutte literally translates to ‘thus do all [women]’- but is often translated to ‘women are like that’ and looks at the idea that all women are fickle and their affections can be turned easily and quickly.

Act One sees two officers Ferrando (Robert Murray) and Guglielmo (Jacques Imbrailo) telling Don Alfonso (Geoffrey Dolton) that their fiancées will be eternally faithfully however Don Alfonso makes a bet with the officers that he can prove that the two women, like all other women are fickle and can have their heads turned and be seduced by two strangers. Ferrando and Guglielmo agree to the wager and disguise themselves and seduce each other’s partner.

The two women, Dorabella (Victoria Simmonds) and Fiordiligi (Elizabeth Atherton) who are sisters are praising their men and are heartbroken when their lovers are called away to active service (a ploy to set the scene for the entrapment).

After the soldiers have left, Don Alfonso brings Despina the maid in on the plan and she encourages the sisters to welcome the guests to the house, two moustachioed Albanians (the soldiers in disguise) who take drastic action to entice the sisters.

Act Two sees Despina further encourage the sisters to give in to the men and Dorabella confesses to her sister that she is tempted and both women decide some flirtation will not be adverse while they wait for their lovers to return from war. But will the sisters give in or remain true to their fiancées?

Opera North has a great reputation for staging top quality productions and Cosi does not fail to deliver. The staging designed by Tobias Hoheisel is quite spectacular with the stage dominated by a giant camera obscura which opens up and the entire set is based inside the camera so the audience are like voyeurs looking in on the events that unfold in microscopic detail.

The entire cast provide strong performances and Atherton’s’ soprano rings out clear and true although it would be unfair to single out any one performer as all are a pleasure to watch and each serve to enhance my view that Opera North really do provide some of the best opera works in this country.

A thoroughly enjoyable evening and already looking forward to Opera North’ summer season.