Word: cosi
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Dates: during 1950-1959
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...music. Others feel that the text is also worth understanding, since after all, the composer did expect the audience to know what is happening. As an experiment with opera in English, the New England Opera Company is currently offering on alternate nights this week two Mozart operas, Cosi Fan Tutti and Don Giovanni...
...Cosi is particularly suited to translation because of its talkiness. And while the text used by director Boris Goldovsky has its disappointing moments, these are more than compensated for by the immediacy of the humor and understanding of the 18th century intention. The story centers around two army officers Guglielmo and Gernando and their philosopher-friend Don Alfonso. The Don, challenging the fidelity of the soldiers' betrothed, proves to them the fundamental frailty of human nature...
...English a few of the usually "dramatic" Italian phrases sound a bit peculiar. For example, the young maid has finished a long sorrowful song about her mistreatment by the bawdy Don, and her gallant suitor warbles "Ohhh, a piteee." These are the exceptions however and this fine presentation, like Cosi, is highly enjoyable...
Gretry's work lacks the exuberance and sparkle of the finest opera boufle tradition of that period, as exemplified, for example, in Cosi fan Tutti. Yet if Mozart is not advanced in comparison, Gretry's music must be adjudged an effective and delightful score. The characters are given subtle musical characterizations, there are some hilarious ensembles, and the coloratura has ample opportunity to show off her best...
...Mozart: Cosi Fan Tutte (Eleanor Steber, Blanche Thebom, Richard Tucker, Frank Guarrera; Metropolitan Opera Chorus and Orchestra conducted by Fritz Stiedry; Columbia). One of the frothiest librettos in opera, in English adaptation, and clean-cut performances of some of Mozart's most winning tunes. The "official" Met version...