When a choreographer stages Mozart’s delectable repertory opera comedy--in which Ferrando (Frédéric Antoun) and Guglielmo (Philippe Sly) are persuaded by their cynical friend Don Alfonso (Paulo Szot) to disguise themselves and exchange girlfriends on a bet in order to test the women’s fidelity--one can be certain that a good deal of dance will be added to the mix. That is certainly the case with Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker’s 2017 production at the Opéra National de Paris. Her idea is to pair each of the six main characters--the three men, sisters Fiordiligi (Jacquelyn Wagner) and Dorabella (Michele Losier), and their maid Despina (Ginger Costa-Jackson)--with a dancer from her Rosas Ballet Company, who will silently express the character’s emotions through movement while the singers sing. The conceit is misguided, not only because Mozart conveyed inner feelings perfectly well through his music, but also because the moves that De Keersmaeker has devised are for the most part either obvious or opaque (too often the performers merely bend sideways in unison for a "leaning tower" effect, or lurch about individually like Frankenstein’s monster). The cameraperson is of no help as there are far too many close-ups of feet. As conducted by Philippe Jordan, the performance is fleet, and the vocalism is fine, but the sparse staging (with only a liquor cabinet in sight) and nondescript costumes are visually dull. While trying to be different, this Così does not especially distinguish itself. Presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 and PCM stereo on DVD, and DTS-HD 5.0 and PCM stereo on Blu-ray, this is a strong optional purchase. (F. Swietek)
Così fan tutte
(2017) 183 min. In Italian w/English subtitles. DVD: $29.99, Blu-ray: $39.99. Arthaus Musik (dist. by Naxos of America). Volume 33, Issue 3
Così fan tutte
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