Cosi fan tutte, K. 588

Composer: Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus

Librettist/Text Author: Ponte, Lorenzo da

Conductor: Harnoncourt, Nikolaus

Orchestra: Zurich Opera House Orchestra

Chorus: Zurich Opera House Chorus

Despina: Baltsa, Agnes

Don Alfonso: Chausson, Carlos

Dorabella: Nikiteanu, Liliana

Ferrando: Nikiteanu, Liliana

Fiordiligi: Bartoli, Cecilia

Guilelmo: Nikiteanu, Liliana

Set Designer: Wonder, Erich

Costume Designer: Gerkan, Florence von

Lighting Designer: Hoffmann, Jurgen

Stage Director: Flimm, Jurgen

Television Director: Large, Brian

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Venue: Zurich Opera House

Playing Time: 03:12:28

Catalogue Number: MID13244449

Libretto

Cosi fan tutte, K. 588 DE

Synopsis

Cosi fan tutte, K. 588

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n 18th century Naples, Don Alfonso wagers that the two girls, Fiordiligi and Dorabella, are no more trustworthy in matters of love than any other women. The girls sing of their love, before Don Alfonso tells them that their lovers are to be called away to the war. Despina, bribed by Don Alfonso, urges the girls to find other lovers, but they declare their constancy. Guglielmo and Ferrando return, disguised as Albanians, but the girls remain firm. They agree to Despina's suggestion of harmless flirtation, each unwittingly choosing the other's partner. The success of the two Albanians, in spite of Fiordiligi's more prolonged resistance, leads to a wedding. The men now appear as themselves and pretend shock and horror at what is afoot, before revealing their plot. All ends happily, as Don Alfonso urges the power of reason in these circumstances.

This production by the Zurich Opera House had it premiere in Febuary 2000. The renowned soprano Cecilia Bartoli made her debut here as Fiordiligi, after having sung the two other Cosi roles, Despina and Dorabella, previously.