With a completely new cast of rising stars, this Cosi Fan Tutte Performance is a welcome return of one of English National Opera’s favourite productions.
One of the reasons, probably the principal one why people come to an ENO production, is this sense of family. We know each other. The same faces and a lot of new faces, but it doesn’t matter. You are welcome! The seven people sitting next to me, are all from the same family, travellers down from the north of England.
It’s a great evening out, and nice weekend away.
‘We’re staying over till tomorrow, “ they say. “Last month we came down to see “La Boheme”
This very clever production was first introduced by ENO back in 2014. And yet, whilst this was the third time this “Cosi” production hos been performed, – there were some notable differences; the more restrained orchestra, the more floral singing, and perhaps a more relaxed performance, – that made for a different type of Mozart experience.
Gone were the typical staccato and sharp female vocal delivery of earlier years, that I have to say I preferred – and yes, whilst the farce of opening and closing bedroom doors of our lovers on holiday, of the chaotic Coney Island fairground scenes, remained, as enjoyable as ever- there was a for greater attempt to make the emotional situation convincing. I loved the interplay between Andrew Foster Williams as Don Alfonso, who for me stole the show, and Ailish Tynan as Despina.
Would I be convinced by the emotional subterfuge? Of course not!
But that is not the point. This is a fantastic journey of one superb melody after the other. Plus a circus act, and a very genuinely funny opening prelude of messing around wordplay that for me, was worth coming to see on its own – and we begin to understand why “Cosi” is such a popular and much loved piece of theatre. It lends itself to originality.
Mozart is ENO’s favourite hobby. It’s a favourite for us too, I would say.
“Cosi Fan Tutte”. can be booked direct at; www.eno.org