BE PREPARED to go back to the classroom when it comes to appreciating Mozart.
Welsh National Opera’s new version of Cosi fan tutte is a fantastically frenetic and unapologetically brash and bold take on one of Mozart’s most popular two-act romantic drama.
Cosi fan tutte aka the School for Lovers is a tale of two couples in which the men are encouraged to trick their dim-witted girlfriends in a bid to test their fidelity.
While it may fail to be rated highly on the list of favourite feminist operas Cosi fan tutte which debuted in 1790 remains beloved and this latest production performed at Venue Cymru cemented this devotion.
Of all Mozart’s operas, Cosi fan tutte is most dependent on the chemistry of its performers.
The cast of this version includes three singers making their WNO debuts.
Kayleigh Decker was delightful as Dorabella making her role debut in this new production.
Her sister, Fiordillgi, is played by the hugely talented soprano Sophie Bevan.
Their performances made it a joy to witness the naive young girls navigate the stormy seas of love.
James Atkinson and Egor Zhuravskil were excellent as the girl’s manipulative suitors Guglielmo and Ferrando complete in flower power clothing, also in their first outing in this role.
Baritone Jose Fardilha was fantastic as Don Alfonso responsible for proposing the bet to the pair of men that leads to all the comic confusion.
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However, WNO veteran Rebecca Evans as school dinner lady Despina proved the most popular among the Llandudno audience, receiving rounds of rapturous applause and regular calls of ‘Bravo’.
Music Director and conductor Tomáš Hanus can be proud of his masterful musical leadership during this production together with Director Max Hoehn.
Special mention must go to production designer Jemima Robinson who takes her visual inspiration from the seventies.
Audiences were transported to a comprehensive school complete with rugby team locker room and a stage set showcasing images from sex education textbooks which give it an almost Pythonesque quality.
There’s still time to catch this wildly entertaining and fun riot of an opera at Venue Cymru until March 16 .
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