Cosi Fan Tutte, an opera by the legendary composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, weaves a tale of love, deception, and the fragility of human emotions.
Set in 18th-century Naples, the story follows two young officers, Ferrando and Guglielmo, who are engaged to two sisters, Dorabella and Fiordiligi, respectively. Under the influence of the cynical philosopher Don Alfonso, the officers are persuaded to test the fidelity of their fiancées.
The opera’s plot thickens as Ferrando and Guglielmo, disguised as dashing Albanians, attempt to seduce each other’s betrothed. Initially steadfast, the sisters eventually succumb to the persistent advances of these ‘foreigners,’ causing a whirl of emotions and a crisis of trust. Throughout this intricate game of disguise and persuasion, the opera delves into themes of fidelity, the capriciousness of love, and the societal expectations placed upon relationships.
As the story reaches its climax, the sisters’ infidelity is revealed, prompting a dramatic yet comedic resolution where all characters must confront their own fallibility. Ultimately, forgiveness and reconciliation prevail, though the sincerity of the characters’ emotions is left tantalisingly ambiguous. Cosi Fan Tutte remains a timeless exploration of love and fidelity, brought to life through Mozart’s exquisite music and librettist Lorenzo Da Ponte’s clever storytelling.
Sir David McVicar’s critically acclaimed production of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s comic yet poignant Così fan tutte returns this August, marking its first time back on the Joan Sutherland Theatre stage since its premiere season in 2016. Awarded five stars by The Sydney Morning Herald, McVicar’s inspired and insightful production reflects the last summer of innocence before war shatters the 20th century, with this beautiful and grand opera staging. For the first time, the Opera Australia Orchestra and performers will be led by a Greek conductor, La Maestra semi-finalist Zoe Zeniodi making her debut with the company. A Fellow of the Hart Institute of Women Conductors and currently one of the six women worldwide selected to be a member of the La Maestra Academy over 2022-24, Maestro Zeniodi has performed guest conductor stints with orchestras across Europe, USA, South America, Asia, New Zealand and Queensland Symphony.
This production features an exceptional ensemble cast that includes international soprano Nardus Williams and New Zealand-Tongan tenor Filipe Manu making their Australian debuts and Australian soprano Alexandra Oomens making her debut with the company. Mezzo soprano Helen Sherman will perform Dorabella, baritone Nathan Lay will play Guglielmo, with Opera Australia veteran Richard Anderson as Don Alfonso. Set in late summer in the early 1900s, designer Moritz Junge’s lavish sets and ravishing costumes evoke a sense of grandeur, drawing on turn of the century Italian fashions and set inside a grand country villa with an impressive lantern-covered tree, bathed in glorious Mediterranean sunlight. Così fan tutte (All women are the same), the final in Mozart’s trilogy of operas composed with librettist Da Ponte, is a feisty farce that explores fidelity, sex, heartbreak and loss of innocence, when a joke goes too far and love really is on the line.
Performance information
Evenings at 7.00pm
August 1, 3, 6, 8, 13, 15
Saturday Matinee at 12.00pm
August 10, 17