Wonderful singing by a remarkable cast saved this production of Così fan tutte, filmed live in Salzburg last season, from being wrecked by the stage direction of Claus Guth. I saw this film at the Warner Theatre in Torrington, CT recently. As he did in his direction of Don Giovanni, also from Salzburg, Guth brought the action to the present day, which would have worked in this case, had he read the libretto and stage directions more carefully. Usually when Ferrando and Guglielmo come back disguised as Albanians, they are wearing enormous beards and mustaches, their heads hidden under large turbans, and wearing middle Eastern dress. In this production, they come back dressed in white suits; so, of course, Dorabella and Fiordiligi have no idea who they are. Give me a break! They also spend some time holding African masks in front of their faces, which, apparently, is a real turn-on to the girls. Have you ever kissed an African mask?
In Don Giovanni, Guth had everyone dripping in the Don's blood which was oozing from a wound he got right off the bat when the curtain went up. Later many of them were also covered in mud from rolling about in the forest while having sex. In Così the white-suited Albanians seduce the women in the garden and roll around in the mud again! I think that Herr Guth may have failed potty-training. Guth also likes to have people removing their clothes while singing and running around. covered in mud and blood. What a laundry bill they must have!
The excellent cast included Miah Persson, who looks like a young Renée Fleming and who sings a lot better. Miss Persson is a Swedish soprano with a beautiful voice and good looks. The Dorabella was Isabel Leonard, an American mezzo with a vibrant voice and great facility. Ferrando was sung by Topi Lehtipuu, a Finish tenor born in Australia and living in Paris. A handsome man with a gorgeous voice. Guglielmo was sung by Florian Boesch who is an Austrian baritone with ditto and ditto. Don Alfonso was sung by Bo Skovus, the Danish baritone whom I have heard sing before and who is singing beautifully. In this production Don Alfonso is made out to be a sort of evil magician who hypnotizes everyone except the audience into believing that these two guys in white suits are really Albanians. Despina was sung by Patricia Petibon who is a French coloratura known for her work in French Baroque opera. She was dramatically a bit over the top in this role, even for a Despina.
But what wonderful singing! Next time, leave the stage director at home!!
