Cosi Fan Tutte

An excellent performance of this delightful opera. The principals are superb, especially the sisters. Bruscantini as Don Alfonso is past his prime, but he knows and understands the role inside out, so one does not even notice his vocal limitations. Araiza is in top form as Ferrando, and Morris makes virile Guglielmo. The only disappointment is Battle as Despina. Unlike her partners, she does not have feel for the Mozart ensemble, and her vocal mannerisms are totally unbecoming. How the producers allowed that to happen is a mystery. Muti's conducting is terrific, much better than on his La Scala video, where he is uninvolved.

Cast

Margaret Marshall

Fiordiligi

Ann Murray

Dorabella

James Morris

Guglielmo

Francisco Araiza

Ferrando

Kathleen Battle

Despina

Sesto Bruscantini

Don Alfonso

Riccardo Muti

Self - Conductor