Ensembles: Opera

MSU Opera Theatre and the MSU Chamber Orchestra presented Mozart's Opera of Deception and Desire, Cosi Fan Tutte, Spring 2003

EAST LANSING, Mich., March 7, 2003 – The MSU Opera Theatre and Chamber Orchestra presented Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Così Fan Tutte at Fairchild Theatre March 21-23.

The opera was held Friday, March 21 and Saturday, March 22 at 8 p.m., and on Sunday, March 23 at 3 p.m. It was conducted by Raphael Jimenez at the helm of the MSU Chamber Orchestra and stage directed by MSU voice professor Melanie Helton. The opera was set against the backdrop of a Fragonard painting to evoke the period (18th century) and the idea of nature being in line with passion. MSU Opera Theatre presented a fully staged and costumed production, which featured 26 students, sung in Italian with English surtitles.

“The lush melodies and gorgeous harmonies - some of the most glorious vocal music ever written - paired with the sparkling plotting of librettist Lorenzo da Ponte weave a tale of deceit, deception and desire that is sure to delight both opera lovers and newcomers,” said Helton.

Così Fan Tutte premiered in Vienna in 1790, and is one of three famous collaborations between composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and librettist Lorenzo da Ponte (the other two being Don Giovanni and The Marriage of Figaro).

The story revolves around the title, “women are all alike.” Don Alfonso, an aging bon vivant, bets his two young soldier friends that, given the opportunity, all women will be ultimately unfaithful. Thus begins an elaborate plot of trickery and disguise involving the two soldiers, Guglielmo and Ferrando, and their fiancées, sisters Fiordiligi and Dorabella. Alfonso enlists the help of the sisters’ maid, Despina, in introducing two ‘Albanians,’ - the soldiers in disguise - to the morally upright sisters. The deceitful men press their suit with the women until they finally submit to their passions. The men then reveal their true identities, much to the dismay of the sisters.

Mozart and da Ponte never truly make it clear in the opera whether or not the original sets of lovers remain together. The audience must wait and watch to discover who ends up with whom.

MSU Opera Production Staff:

Conductor: Raphael Jimenez/Jason Altieri

Stage Director: Melanie Helton

Stage Design: John DesPres