Evaluation: Mozart’s Così Fan Tutte Is Nice Enjoyable Set within the Nineteen Twenties on the Lyric Opera

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is a classical music genius from the sixteenth century. He was additionally one thing of a rock star within the twentieth century. Mozart was one of many few classical musicians featured on the WXRT Featured Artist Cards again within the ’70s and ’80s. He was cool sufficient to be part of “Chicago’s Finest Rock.” Così Fan Tutte opened Sunday on the Lyric Opera to a Twenty first-century viewers, the orchestra carried out by maestro Enrique Mazzola, with the Lyric Chorus directed by Michael Black. It was a spectacular afternoon on the Lyric, and among the best Mozart performances I’ve seen since The Magic Flute, offered in a silent-movie model in 2021. Ray Rallo directs this revival of the late Michael Cavanagh’s manufacturing with a lightweight contact.

This Così Fan Tutte is ready within the Nineteen Twenties on the swanky Wolfbridge Country Club, the place the devious Don Alfonso (Rod Gilfry) serves as supervisor. Two sisters, Fiordiligi (Jacquelyn Stucker) and Dorabella (Cecilia Molinari), are at Wolfbridge for a respite of swimming, badminton, and resort pursuits. They are joined by their fiancés, Ferrando (Anthony León) and Guglielmo (Ian Rucker). Don Alfonso properties in on the lads as they’re singing about how devoted, stunning, and fantastic their fiancées are. Don Alfonso sees a possibility for mischief. He engages the worldly and cynical maid, Despina (Ana María Martínez), to be a bug within the ear of the naive girls.

Everyone on this forged is an excellent actor and singer. Così Fan Tutte is a comic book gem with among the most tough music to sing. Mozart is understood for his use of chromaticism, giving his music an elaborate, wealthy sound. I at all times imagined it as sheet music stuffed with curlicues, however after I really noticed it, I spotted there was a sample to it. If music have been a material, Mozart could be a extremely cool paisley. The path and stage actions are as musical because the notes being sung.

I used to be happy to see the forged’s bodily agility, particularly given the baroque parts within the music. The breath management and projection whereas on a treadmill or falling to the ground pretending to be poisoned is astonishing. Stucker’s soprano is evident and pure with rounded and totally coloured tones. Molinari’s mezzosoprano is an ideal matchup with Stucker on duets. She is a grasp of coloratura, as is Stucker. Their duets have been enjoyable, with each embellishment on level.

I used to be thrilled to see Ana María Martínez within the forged. I’ve seen nearly all of her performances at Lyric. She performed the tenacious Donna Elvira in my favourite Don Giovanni reverse Mariusz Kwiecień. They had improbable chemistry in Mozart’s story of the libertine aristocrat, and Martínez is without doubt one of the nice sopranos of this period. She is a standout as Despina, who assumes the identities of a notary and a health care provider as she conspires with Don Alfonso to show that ladies are incapable of being devoted. This efficiency needs to be seen to see the resuscitation of Ferrando and Guglielmo posing as poisoned Albanians. Martinez’s voice is elegant, even within the comical singing. Despina and Don Alfonso make hilarious co-conspirators.

Baritone Rod Gilfry is an opera veteran in high quality voice. He is charming with a sly demeanor that’s too humorous to be villainous. Tenor Anthony León sang essentially the most stunning “Un’aura amorosa” close to the top of Act I. His voice is silky and dulcet, and he is an excellent actor, craving for Dorabella and singing of his devotion. He and Rucker are an upscale Abbott and Costello posing as Albanians with shaggy moustaches. Baritone Ian Rucker is a Ryan Center alum, most lately seen in Carmina Burana. He was in Lyric’s 2025 La Boheme because the comedian reduction Schaunard. He has an ideal voice and an exquisite stage presence.

It could be legal to not point out Constance Hoffman’s costumes. They are colourful and stylish with a comical aptitude. Think of Rosalind Russell in The Women (1939) together with her eyeball sweater and different outrageous apparel. The gymnasium outfits characteristic crimson caps with whimsical tassels. The males’s outfits are much more hilarious with the striped tops and lengthy shorts. Erhard Rom designed the attractive projections and units with stylish and clear traces.

As at all times, maestro Mazzola led the orchestra with precision. All the attractive colours of Mozart’s music are heard, and by no means overpower the singers. It was in good alignment with the primary forged and the very good refrain. It all labored collectively to deliver Mozart’s Così Fan Tutte to life. It was a rock star efficiency throughout. I extremely suggest seeing Così Fan Tutte.

Così Fan Tutte runs via February 15 on the Lyric Opera House, 20 N Wacker Drive. It runs three hours with a 30-minute intermission. Only 5 performances are left.

For extra data on this and different productions, see theatreinchicago.com.