Customer Rating: 
Summary: My first and last Cosí
Comment: Despite going to the opera for the first time when I was 7, it's taken me more than 20 years to really appreciate the artform and I've recently begun collecting DVDs. This production was the first Così I ever heard or saw and - having seen a few more since then - will likely be the last. If I lost my mind and decided to watch it with the sound muted, I'd still be thoroughly entertained - the comic and dramatic talents of the players here is unsurpassable! I'm particularly fond of Anke Vondung's ditzy Dorabella, but everyone is amazing. I must say that the setting and costumes (no turbans, thank God!) adds to the already potent mixture. The clear and crisp sound of Fischer's well-conducted period instruments is pure joy. The four principal singers all do marvellous jobs and over the last few times I've watched the DVD, I've taken to counting the number of times you see any of them looking at the conductor... It may 'just' be fantastic video-editing (which is the case, no matter what), but the few and very discrete times I've caught them looking at Fischer can be counted on one hand - alltogether. Aside from indicating that the production is thoroughly rehearsed, it does wonders for keeping up the 4th wall between performers and audience. Allround brilliant DVD!
Customer Rating:
Summary: Brilliant singing from the two women principals
Comment: When it was first performed, this opera was described as an opera buffa, but although there is much comedy (and the comedy element is given emphasis in this production), the opera has a dark and somewhat disturbing side. The plot, slight and amusing at first glance, deals with the sometimes anguished struggles that take place among constancy, sexual desire, and love between the sexes. The Victorians thought Così fan Tutte outrageous and vulgar, but times change and nowadays Così is generally considered to be one of the most satisfying and thought-provoking of the Mozart operas. The music without doubt is astounding, and is representative of Mozart at the very height of his powers.
This beautifully presented production (the singers appear in period clothes, for once, and perform against plain and well lit, pastel-coloured sets) is very successful indeed. The stars are the gifted young Swedish soprano Miah Persson (as Fiordiligi) and the German mezzo-soprano Anke Vondung (as Dorabella). Their singing is never less than excellent and is often quite ravishing. Miah Persson reminds me very much of Elisabeth Schwarzkopf as she was in the mid-1950s (when I began to collect classical music records). Anke Vondung is almost equally impressive, and some of the duets sung by the two young women are quite brilliantly done. Though the two women principals stand out (in part, it must be said, because they have the best of the music) the rest of the singing is very good indeed. The two young male singers (Topi Lehtipuu and Luca Pisaroni) who share the centre of the action with the two ladies are very accomplished, and sing impressively. Conducting and orchestral playing are of a high standard throughout.
This is essentially an opera for six voices, and the only disappointment, in my opinion, is the relative weakness of the third pair of singers - Ainhoa Garmendia (as the scheming maid Despina) and Nicolas Rivenq (as the manipulative Don Alfonso). The former somehow gives the impression of not being thoroughly at home in her role, and the latter, who seems a little under-powered and takes quite a while to get going, has been poorly characterized by the director, who presents him as a rather good and even jolly sort of fellow instead of the unattractive and world-weary cynic that the libretto leads us to expect. But these are relatively small quibbles. The weaknesses of this production are far outweighed by the strong points, and this version of the opera can be confidently recommended.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Some heavenly music
Comment: This is not to compare this version with others: it just happens to be the one I am listening to as I write. Prospero said, in "The Tempest" (Act V, line 51, since you ask) "When I have required some heavenly music, which even now I do, to work mine end upon their senses that this airy charm is for....". I cannot say fairer than that!
Customer Rating:
Summary: Sheer perfection
Comment: I have many versions of Cosi, including the Ponnelle, which I thought unsurpassable - until I encountered this from last year's Glyndebourne. I first saw it last Christmas on the box, and itched to get a DVD. Now I have a copy, I am reminded forcefully how well the cast (unknown to me) drew every ounce of wit and humour from a piece that can easily go sour. There are many ingredients that go to make this such a success. Not only the singing, which is fresh as paint, but the acting, which I think is some of the best I have seen in a Mozart comedy. All cast members contribute to an ensemble performance. Clearly Nicholas Hytner deserves mention and Fischer, whose brisk, dramatic and characterful overture immediately has me in its grasp. I cannot reccommend this performance enough. If you can only have one recording, this should be the one. If you alrady have several, this should be added as soon as possible.
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![Mozart - Cosi Fan Tutte [2006]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51sx0r0yI3L._SL160_.jpg)
