Sizzling Seduction And The Magic Of Mozart : Così Fan Tutte

The glamorous and amorous nature of all things Italian - especially relating to affairs of the heart - are often best kept in their native language to sustain an aura of mystique.

This definitely applies to Mozart’s iconic and much-loved opera Così fan tutte symbolising the era of enlightenment in Vienna during the 18th Century.

The tale unfolds when experimental philosopher, Don Alfonso, throws a spanner into what he deems to be the perfect, predictable worlds of two young men, Ferrando and Gugliemo.

He does this by setting a wager that their fiancées Fiordiligi and Dorabella - who are also sisters - will be unfaithful to them if tempted and the challenge is accepted.

The plot thickens when Fiordiligi and Dorabella learn that their fiancés are going to war, and the sisters are beside themselves at the prospect of not seeing their betrothed.

Their distress, however, is short lived when Ferrando and Gugliemo, disguised as two handsome and flamboyant Albanian strangers, embark on their quest of seduction in a performance packed with revelations and surprises.

Faced with increasingly extreme scenarios orchestrated by manipulator supremo, Don Alfonso, the mettle - or rather morals - of all four lovers are put to the test.

Reviews are glowing of the superb performances from Alexandra Lowe as Fiordiligi and Heather Lowe as Dorabella (not related in real life), along with Anthony Gregory and Henry Neill as their duplicitous lovers Ferrando and Guglielmo.

Quirijn De Lang is applauded as being a magnificent Don Alfonso with Gillene Butterfield also praised as Despina, the sister’s maid, and Don Alfonso’s partner in crime.

Opera North’s performance directed by Tim Albery bedazzles with Mozart’s breathtakingly beautiful composition. Clemens Schuldt makes his Opera North debut conducting the beguiling score which is sung in English.

The audience is treated to a delightful journey discovering the nuances and naughtiness of this magnificent opera which concludes with Don Alfonso winning his bet.

Regarding my observation about translation, did you know that Così fan tutte, means ‘So do they all’ and is widely interpreted into English as ‘Women are like that’?

Irrespective of this impertinence, fast forward over two centuries and there is still a healthy appetite for this delicious masterpiece from the Golden Age of Music.

Così Fan Tutte is performing at Newcastle Theatre Royal at 7pm, Saturday March 16. Visit www.theatreroyal.co.uk or call the Box Office on 0191 232 7010.

Under 30s and students can experience the passion and drama of live performance for just £10, Newcomers to opera can enjoy some of the best seats with two tickets for £20 each through the ‘Try it ON’ scheme.

The production can also be seen at the following venues: Thursday, March 21at 7pm and Saturday, March 23 at 7pm at The Lowry Salford Quays Thursday April 4 at 7pm and Saturday April 6 at 2.30pm Hull New Theatre For more information on Opera North visit this link.