Mozart: Cosi fan tutte [2000]

Average customer rating:

A very enjoyable Cosi

Excellent singing by Cecilia Bartoli

Perfection

Beautifully filmed and recorded with a superb cast

Mozart: Cosi fan tutte [2000]
Starring: Cecilia Bartoli , Liliana Nikiteanu , Agnes Baltsa , Roberto Saccà , and Oliver Widmer
Director: Brian Large
Manufacturer: Arthaus Musik
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000050YL1
Release Date: 2001-06-30

Amazon.co.uk Review

Mozart's third and final opera with librettist Lorenzo da Ponte, the hugely ambitious dramatic comedy Così fan Tutte (roughly translated as: "They're All Like That"), is brought passionately to life in a first-class production conducted by Nikolaus Harnoncourt and featuring one of the great starring roles for Cecilia Bartoli. Filmed live at the Zurich Opera House in February 2000 on a set which visualises the subtitle "The School for Lovers", the plot revolves around two army officers arguing about the fidelity of their brides, then setting out to test their chastity. Despite the often playful humour, this is not only psychologically telling music-making, but reveals Mozart exploring the structure of opera, discarding convention to mix large ensemble sections with arias for as many different combinations of singers as possible. With Liliana Nikiteanu attractively contrasted with Bartoli, and thoroughly convincing performances by Roberto Sacca (Ferrando) and Oliver Widmer (Guilelmo), this Così has a freshness and flow which, coupled with the timeless romantic themes, feels very contemporary.

On the DVD: the presentation, which includes an interesting 22-minute behind-the-scenes documentary, is spread over two DVDs. There is a multi-language booklet minus libretto, though there is the option to watch with English subtitles. Given the difficult live stage lighting conditions the 16:9 anamorphically enhanced picture is as good as can be expected. There are both stereo and Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtracks, though the latter gives the voices a disconcertingly disembodied character, leaving the former to be preferred. The total running time is approximately 213 minutes, not 275 minutes stated on the packaging. --Gary S Dalkin

Customer Reviews:

A very enjoyable Cosi.......2008-02-15

The small scale opera hourse in Zurich helps to enhance the intimacy of the opera, which is, to my mind, Mozart's greatest opera. Bartoli is in top form but sometimes I found Harnoncourt's pacing a little too hurried. This is not a classic, one does not come back time and time again for a top uo but it is nonetheless very enjoyable.

Excellent singing by Cecilia Bartoli.......2007-11-17

To hear Cecilia Bartoli sing "Per pieta, ben mio, perdona" was a sufficient reason for me to purchase this DVD. She was truly outstanding.

Perfection.......2004-12-06

Everything about this Così Fan Tutte from the Zürich Opera is good. The sets are beautiful and atmospheric, dominated by tastefully rich colours, and the performers sing and act so marvellously well that I just can't get enough of it. Every time I've seen it, I long to see it again. Cecilia Bartoli sings Fiordiligi better than anyone I've heard; she delivers Per pietà, ben mio, perdona in such a way that I find that this has become one of my favourite arias. Roberto Sacca as Ferrando is also at his best here, especially in the cavatina Tradito, schernito dal perfido cor and the quintet Di scrivermi ogni giorno. Agnes Baltsa in the role of Despina is perhaps not the very picture of a young servant maid, but we just have to stretch our imaginations here, and come to think of it, there's really no reason why Despina should not be older and more experienced than her two mistresses. Liliana Nikiteanu, Oliver Widmer and Carlos Chausson are almost as good actors as they are great singers; it is very much because of them that watching this Così instead of merely listening to a recording of it is strongly recommended. Nikolaus Harnoncourt brings out the best in the score, and the music for Così Fan Tutte is really among the most beautiful that Mozart has written. Thanks to everyone involved for this great production.

Beautifully filmed and recorded with a superb cast.......2001-08-14

From the moment it begins, this production of Cosi fan Tutti is obviously going to be something special. The atmospheric staging and excellent camera work gives the performances the immediacy and power of good TV drama. Add in the forceful singing of a committed cast, and you have a production that both entertains and makes you think.

This live recording, made at the Zurich Opera House in 2000, features a superb orchestra playing under Nikolaus Harnoncourt, whose interpretation is characteristically searching.

The cast as a whole is quite outstanding (Cecilia Bartoli and Liliana Nikiteanu's portrayals of Fiordiligi and Dorabella being of the highest quality, as is Roberto Sacca's Ferrando). Who really stole the show for me, though, was Carlos Chausson as Don Alfonso.

The quality of the picture is excellent, as is the sound, and for anyone who enjoys opera on DVD this is a must buy.

Customer Reviews:

Greatest hits show.......2007-06-09

A good show with Crystal singing all the old favourites - don't it make my brown eyes blue, when I dream, green door, talking in your sleep etc. Extras show Crystal visiting the home where she grew up.

This was previously released under the title 'Live and evening with Crystal Gayle'

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