Così fan tutte

Mozart Così fan tutte opera to libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte. Directed 2009 by Claus Guth at Salzburg Festival (Haus für Mozart). Stars Miah Persson, Isabel Leonard, Florian Boesch, Topi Lehtipuu, Patricia Petibon, and Bo Skovhus. Adam Fischer conducts the Wiener Philharmoniker and Konzertvereinigung Wiener Staatsopernchor (Chorus Master Thomas Lang). Stage design by Christian Schmidt; costumes by Anna Sofie Tuma; lighting  by Olaf Winter; dramatic advice by Andri Hardmeier; video by Alexander Buresch and Kai Ehlers; choreography by Ramses Sigl; TV direction by Brian Large. Released  2010,  disc has 5.1 dts-HD Master Audio sound. Grade: B

Since we already have two traditional versions of Così, there's no harm in adding a contemporary take with real trash littering the stage. But that puts this libretto under strain, since beautiful, sophisticated, wealthy, young professional women these days are not much concerned about loosing their virginity. Also, Guth can't swap partners with disguises in a modern setting. The story as presented will probably be incomprehensible to one not already thoroughly familiar with this opera. Still, the updated characters and their antics are interesting enough to keep your attention.

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