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MOZART, W.A.: Cosi fan tutte |
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Composer: |
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart |
Artist: |
Joanna Borowska, Priti Coles, John Dickie, Andrea Martin, Peter Mikulas, Donna Robin, John Brownlee, Ina Souez, Luise Helletsgruber, Nan Merriman, Thomas Allen, Margaret Price, Agnes Baltsa, Ruth Ziesak, Kiri Te Kanawa, Rohangiz Yachmi, Pietro Spagnoli, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Rolando Panerai, Heddle Nash, Willi Domgraf-Fassbaender, Veronique Gens, Richard van Allan, Leopold Simoneau, Soile Isokoski, Hermann Prey, Juliane Banse, Bernarda Fink, Werner Gura, Lisa Otto, Sesto Bruscantini, Irene Eisinger, Christa Mayer, Marcel Boone, Graciela Oddone, Daniela Mazzuccato, Stuart Burrows |
Conductor: |
Peter Schreier, Christoph Poppen, Rene Jacobs, Herbert von Karajan, Antonello Gotta, Marcus Creed, Fritz Busch, Johannes Wildner, Colin Davis, Heinz Wallberg, Heinz Fricke |
Choir: |
Slovak Philharmonic Chorus, Royal Opera House Chorus, Covent Garden, Glyndebourne Festival Chorus, Philharmonia Chorus, Cologne Chamber Choir |
Orchestra: |
Royal Opera House Orchestra, Covent Garden, Munich Radio Orchestra, Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra, Capella Istropolitana, Berlin Symphony Orchestra, Glyndebourne Festival Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, Tapiola Sinfonietta, Concerto Koln, German Radio Saarbrucken-Kaiserslautern Philharmonic Orchestra, Compagnia d'Opera Italiana Orchestra |
Lyricist: |
Lorenzo Da Ponte |
Label: |
Naxos |
Catalogue No.: |
8.660008-10 |
Format: |
CD |
Barcode: |
4891030600089 |
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Cosi fan tutte
In 1781 Mozart won independen-->
Cosi fan tutte
Cosi fan tutte
In 1781 Mozart won independence from the ties that had
bound him to his native Salzburg. After a childhood during which he had
astonished Europe by his feats of musicianship, there had been a less
satisfactory period of adolescence in which his gilts were the greater but his
chances to display them the less. An attempt to seek an honourable position in
Mannheim or in Paris in 1777 and 1778 led to nothing, but the successful
reception of his opera Idomeneo in Munich in January 1781 encouraged him in his
quarrel with his patron, the Archbishop of Salzburg, during the course of a
visit to Vienna immediately afterwards.
For the last ten years of his life Mozart lacked the
security of patronage and was without the careful advice of his father, Leopold
Mozart, who remained as Vice-Kapellmeister in Salzburg, unable any longer to
guide and plan his son's career. An imprudent marriage did nothing to improve
his position, but Vienna brought one very great advantage. At last it was
possible to write directly for the theatre. Mozart's first Vienna opera during
this period was the German Singspiel Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail (The
Abduction from the Seraglio), in 1782. This was followed in 1786 by the first
of his collaborations with Lorenzo da Ponte, the Italian opera Le nozze di
Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro). In 1787, the year of his father's death, came
a further opera with Lorenzo da Ponte, Don Giovanni, and in 1790, with the same
poet, Cosi fan tutte, otherwise known as La scuola degli amanti (The School of
Lovers). The following year Mozart wrote two operas, La clemenza di Tito (The
Clemency of Titus) as a coronation opera for Prague and a German magic opera,
Die Zauberllote (The Magic Flute) for a suburban theatre in Vienna, where it
was still running at the time of his death early in December.
Cosi fan tutte (All Women Behave Like That) was
commissioned, at the wish of the Emperor Joseph II, alter the successful
revival of The Marriage of Figaro in August 1789. The initial run of the new
opera, which opened on 26th January, was cut short by the death of
the Emperor on 20th February and a consequent period of court mourning. The
five earlier performances were followed by five more during the summer. In 1791
there was a performance in German in Frankfurt, and performances in the
original Italian in Leipzig, Prague and Dresden. After Mozart's death the opera
enjoyed some popularity, but the apparent frivolity of its subject proved
generally unacceptable as the 19th century progressed. It was revived in its
original form by Hermann Levi in Munich in 1896 and by Gustav Mahler in Vienna
in 1900.
The story of Cosi fan tutte is, in essence, an old one.
The cynical Don Alfonso induces his young friends Guglielmo and Ferrando to
test the fidelity of the sisters they love, Fiordiligi and Dorabella. This they
do by pretending to go to the war, immediately returning to woo each other's
beloved in the disguise of Albanian noblemen. Their success, abetted by the
clever little maid-servant Despina, leads to the start of a wedding-banquet,
interrupted by the supposed return of the two lovers and a final revelation by
Don Alfonso of the lesson to be learned from what has happened.
CD1
Act 1
The Overture (1) starts with a slow introduction, leading
to a rapid theme played by the first violins, joined immediately by the
seconds. The first scene of the first act (2) opens in a coffee-house in Naples,
where Ferrando and Guglielmo are in dispute with Don Alfonso. My Dorabella
would never be untrue (La mia Dorabella capace non e), sings Ferrando, a
protest in which Guglielmo joins in defence of the honour of his Fiordiligi,
while Don Alfonso maintains the contrary, which his experience of life has
taught him. They nearly come to blows, but Don Alfonso calms the two young men
(3), and goes on to proclaim his own view (4), The fidelity of women is as rare
as the phoenix (E la fede delle femmine I come I'araba Fenice). The argument
continues, until Don Alfonso suggests a wager to test the constancy of the two
sisters (5). In the following Terzetto (6) Ferrando promises to pay for a fine
serenade (Una bella serenata), from his winnings, while Guglielmo will give a
banquet.
The second scene (7) is set in the garden of the two
sisters, leading down to the shore, with a view of the Bay of Naples in the
distance. To the gentle murmur of the music and the soft tones of the clarinets
the girls sing of their lovers, gazing at the miniatures they hold in their
hands. Look, sister, where could you find a nobler face ? (Ah guarda, sorella.)
sings Fiordiligi, while Dorabella adds her own rapturous admiration of the
features of her Ferrando. In livelier music they swear to be true, and then
seem ironically ready for some frivolity (8), when Don Alfonso comes in,
apparently with bad news. In the first solo aria of the opera, he announces a
disaster (9), I haven't the heart to tell you (Vorrei dir, e cor non ho), and
this turns out, to be that the two young men have been called to the war (10).
A quintet follows (11), as Ferrando and Guglielmo come in, in evident despair,
while the girls declare that death is preferable to parting. The young men, in
a brief aside to Don Alfonso, think they are winning the bet, but he remains
confident. The quintet ends with a declaration of the bitterness of parting,
and after a brief declaration of love (12), there follows a short duet for the
two lovers (13), claiming that love will help them (Al fato dan legge) (14). A
drum is heard and the approaching march of soldiers (15), praising the glory of
battle (Bella vita militar!). A boat sails to the landing-stage (16) and to the
tears of the sisters, the two young men embark. (17) Write to me every day! (Di
scrivermi ogni giorno!), sings Fiordiligi, and twice a day to me, echoes
Dorabella. The sisters wave goodbye and with Don Alfonso speed them on their
way in a brief ensemble (18 & 19), May the wind blow gently and the wave be
calm (Soave sia il vento). (20) Left alone Don Alfonso can vent his cynicism.
The scene changes to a room in the house. Despina is
preparing chocolate and complaining about the drudgery of her life, lightened
by an illicit sip of the drink she is making (21). Fiordiligi and Dorabella
come in in evident despair, expressed in dramatic accompanied recitative.
Dorabella, in an aria (22), Implacable frenzy (Smanie implacabili), longs
histrionically for death. Despina, when the matter is explained to her, offers
her own common sense answer (23), that there are other men. In an aria (24) she
echoes Don Alfonso's view of women. Hope for fidelity in men, in soldiers? Not
on your life (In uomini / In soldati / sperare fedelta?). They go out, and Don
Alfonso comes in (25), declaring his intention of bribing Despina to further
the plot he has devised. Her agreement assured, he ushers in Ferrando and
Guglielmo, disguised as Albanians. Despina does not recognise them but finds
their foreign appearance grotesque, as Don Alfonso presents them (26), to the
fair little Despina (Alia bella Despinetta). He stands aside, as Fiordiligi and
Dorabella enter and tell Despina to dismiss the unwanted visitors, who now
protest their love (27). Don Alfonso and Despina are sure that the girls will
give in, while the young men are equally certain of their constancy, and now
Don Alfonso comes forward, as if newly arrived, and greets the two disguised
lovers as old friends. As they urge their love, Fiordiligi dramatically
proclaims her steadfastness (28). Like a rock I stand (Come scoglio immoto
resta), she declares. The girls try to leave, but the lovers, supported by Don
Alfonso, beg them to stay (29), and Guglielmo, whose attentions are directed to
Dorabella, protests his love in an aria (30), Do not let your charming eyes be
shy (Non siate ritrosi, occhietti vezzosi), going on to advertise his own good
points. The girls withdraw and in a Terzetto (31) Don Alfonso asks them what
they are laughing at, (E voi ridete?), the comedy is not yet over (32).
Ferrando, now confident, sings of his love for Dorabella (33), A loving breeze
brings balm to my heart (Un' aura amorosa). Now Despina takes a hand in the
plot, and assures Don Alfonso that she can bring about the desired result (34).
CD2
The scene changes to the garden, where Fiordiligi and
Dorabella still lament the departure of their lovers (1). Ah! How my Fate
changes in a moment (Ah! che tutta in un momento / si cangio la sorte mia),
they sing, but now Ferrando and Guglielmo come in (2), apparently resolved to
poison themselves for love; they drink and fall down prostrate on the grass.
Despina is summoned to help and recommends a doctor, and re-appears shortly
afterwards so disguised (3), offering the latest remedy with a large magnet to
draw out the poison, a reference to the Mozarts' friend Anton Mesmer and his
theories of animal magnetism. The two men are revived (4) and beg a kiss (5),
but are again rejected. Nevertheless the plotters see success in sight.
Act II
The second act opens in a room in the house, where
Despina reasons with her two mistresses (6) and expresses her philosophy in an
aria (7), explaining that any girl of fifteen ought to know how to handle men
(Una donna / a quindici anni). Little by little the two girls decide that there
is no harm in an innocent flirtation (8) and in a duet (9) declare their
preference. I will take the dark one (Prendero quel brunettino), sings
Dorabella, while Fiordiligi prefers the fair-haired one. Don Alfonso calls them
into the garden. By the landing-stage there is a boat decked with flowers and
the two lovers have arranged a serenade, played by a wind band (10), while
Ferrando and Guglielmo ask the friendly breezes to convey their message of love
(Secondate, aurette amiche). Don Alfonso urges the reluctant young men on, (11)
taking Dorabella's hand as Despina takes Fiordiligi's (12), leading them
forward (La mano a me date,/ movetevi un po!) The lovers are now left alone
(13). Fiordiligi and Ferrando walk off together, and Guglielmo protests further
his love for Dorabella (14), in a duet (II core vi dono, / bell' idolo mio),
and replaces Ferrando's miniature that she wears with a locket of his own.
As Guglielmo and Dorabella walk away, arm in arm, the
other couple returns (15), Ferrando still pleading with Fiordiligi (16) (Ah! io
veggio quell' anima bella), and threatening suicide. As he leaves, she
expresses her changing feelings (17 & 18), begging pardon of the absent
Guglielmo (Per pieta, ben mio, perdona). She walks away, and Ferrando and
Guglielmo re-appear. The former delights Guglielmo with news of Fiordiligi's
apparent constancy, but is dismayed at what he learns of his Dorabella, who has
evidently given away his portrait, which Guglielmo now shows him (19).
Guglielmo now expresses his doubts in an aria (20) (Donne mie, la fate a
tanti!). Ferrando returns and sings CD 3 of his disillusionment (1 &
2), Betrayed, scorned (Tradito, schernito), and Don Alfonso applauds his misery
and tells the relatively complacent Guglielmo to wait a little longer.
The next scene is set in a room with a number of doors, a
looking-glass and a little table. Despina tells Dorabella that she has acted
sensibly (3), when Fiordiligi bursts in and announces that she loves her new
wooer, but will still resist the temptation. Dorabella tells of the power of
love (4), a little thief, a little serpent, that takes away peace of mind (E
amore un ladroncello). Fiordiligi still will not give way (5), and tells
Despina to bring down the young men's uniforms and swords from upstairs, where
they are stored, and to order horses so that she and her sister may join their
old lovers at war. Guglielmo, overhearing all this, is full of admiration. In a
duet (6) she tells of her hope to join Guglielmo (Fra gli amplessi, in pochi
istanti), but is joined by Ferrando, who threatens to die of love, if she
deserts him. She gives in, and the two go out together, while Don Alfonso
restrains Guglielmo with difficulty (7). When Ferrando returns, Don Alfonso
suggests that the best thing to do is to marry the girls that very evening.
Women are fickle (8) but they cannot help it (Tutti accusan le donne). In fact
Cosi fan tutte, they are all alike, a verdict heartily endorsed by the two
young heroes. Despina re-appears to say that the girls have agreed to the
marriage (9).
The scene is now a richly decorated room. There is an
orchestra in attendance. There is a table set for four, with silver
candlesticks, and four servants richly dressed. Despina is giving orders for
the candles to be lit (10) (Fate presto, o cari amici,/ alle faci il foco
date), while Don Alfonso expresses his delight. The chorus welcomes the couples
(11) accompanied by the orchestra (Benedetti / i doppi conjugi) as they come in
and take their places at the table and start to eat (12 & 13). The lawyer,
Despina in disguise, comes in with the marriage contracts, which she intones
through her nose, but at this moment the soldiers' chorus of the first act is
heard off-stage (14) and Don Alfonso announces the imminent return of the
lovers from the war. The "Albanians" are hustled out, with Despina
(15), and the two men quickly return as themselves, while Despina comes in again,
without her lawyer's hat, explaining that her costume was intended for a masked
ball. Don Alfonso allows the marriage contracts that the girls, but not the
men, had signed, to fall to the floor and now Ferrando and Guglielmo pretend to
find the papers and reproach their faithless partners (16). Don Alfonso then
reveals the plot, as Ferrando and Guglielmo retire for a moment and return
wearing something of their old disguise. The girls realise at last what has
happened and seek forgiveness, which is readily granted, and all ends happily
(17).
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