Mozart: Cosi Fan Tutte [DVD] [2010]

When it was first performed, this opera was described as an opera buffa, but although there is much comedy (and the comedy element is given emphasis in this production), the opera has a dark and somewhat disturbing side. The plot, slight and amusing at first glance, deals with the sometimes anguished struggles that take place among constancy, sexual desire, and love between the sexes. The Victorians thought Così fan Tutte outrageous and vulgar, but times change and nowadays Così is generally considered to be one of the most satisfying and thought-provoking of the Mozart operas. The music without doubt is astounding, and is representative of Mozart at the very height of his powers.

This beautifully presented production (the singers appear in period clothes, for once, and perform against plain and well lit, pastel-coloured sets) is very successful indeed. The stars are the gifted young Swedish soprano Miah Persson (as Fiordiligi) and the German mezzo-soprano Anke Vondung (as Dorabella). Their singing is never less than excellent and is often quite ravishing. Miah Persson reminds me very much of Elisabeth Schwarzkopf as she was in the mid-1950s (when I began to collect classical music records). Anke Vondung is almost equally impressive, and some of the duets sung by the two young women are quite brilliantly done. Though the two women principals stand out (in part, it must be said, because they have the best of the music) the rest of the singing is very good indeed. The two young male singers (Topi Lehtipuu and Luca Pisaroni) who share the centre of the action with the two ladies are very accomplished, and sing impressively. Conducting and orchestral playing are of a high standard throughout.

This is essentially an opera for six voices, and the only disappointment, in my opinion, is the relative weakness of the third pair of singers - Ainhoa Garmendia (as the scheming maid Despina) and Nicolas Rivenq (as the manipulative Don Alfonso). The former somehow gives the impression of not being thoroughly at home in her role, and the latter, who seems a little under-powered and takes quite a while to get going, has been poorly characterized by the director, who presents him as a rather good and even jolly sort of fellow instead of the unattractive and world-weary cynic that the libretto leads us to expect. But these are relatively small quibbles. The weaknesses of this production are far outweighed by the strong points, and this version of the opera can be confidently recommended.

I have many versions of Cosi, including the Ponnelle, which I thought unsurpassable - until I encountered this from last year's Glyndebourne. I first saw it last Christmas on the box, and itched to get a DVD. Now I have a copy, I am reminded forcefully how well the cast (unknown to me) drew every ounce of wit and humour from a piece that can easily go sour. There are many ingredients that go to make this such a success. Not only the singing, which is fresh as paint, but the acting, which I think is some of the best I have seen in a Mozart comedy. All cast members contribute to an ensemble performance. Clearly Nicholas Hytner deserves mention and Fischer, whose brisk, dramatic and characterful overture immediately has me in its grasp. I cannot reccommend this performance enough. If you can only have one recording, this should be the one. If you alrady have several, this should be added as soon as possible.

I have seen and bought many versions of this opera - always searching for the definitive one. AND THIS IS IT! At Last! The reasons? Here you are:
A very attractive and sexy young cast who can ACT as well as sing superbly.
They are completely immersed in their roles, and all have great comic timing, as well as singing with great passion when called for.
The production and direction are perfect, making the plot move along at a pace. Never are you tempted to fast-forward to the next aria. (So often my criticism of other productions has been the interminable recitatives [the semi-spoken lines between the arias] which just seemed to interrupt the 'good tunes', but not here as wit and character give them all a point and make it all a great pleasure.)
And finally, the blu-ray production is especially beautiful to look at. Why wouldn't you want it?

For anyone who doesn't know the opera, I'd say 'Go for it'. It may not be quite as well known as the other Mozart/Da Ponte operas (Marriage of Figaro and Don Giovanni), but for my money it has the loveliest arias of the lot, as a little familiarity will surely confirm. This is Mozart at his very best - and this production is an enduring pleasure from start to end.