LA Phil/Dudamel “Cosi fan tutte” 5/27/14

May 27, 2014

This production is the conclusion of the Mozart/Lorenzo Da Ponte Trilogy (“Don Giovanni” in 2012 and “The Marriage of Figaro” in 2013). “Così fan tutte” provides a “forever” theme of a test of fidelity, an amazing humor (still works in 2014), and a perfect match between the music and the text. You may not cry during this opera, but I guarantee you laugh a lot in tears. Each of this trilogy has been created by the different teams, world-class collaboration, home-team Frank Gehry and Rodarte for “Don Giovanni” in 2012, and French imports Jean Nouvel and Azzedine Alaïa for “The Marriage of Figaro” last year. This year, the set was created by the architect Zaha Hadid and the costumes by the fashion designer, Hussein Chalayan, London-based artists. The set is a white, swirling, and steep structure sitting on the back-right of the Disney stage, and the orchestra is in the front-left. The distance between Dudamel, the conductor, and the singers are very close on the same floor, unlikely the usual opera houses which have an orchestra pit below the stage. The costumes are very creative. When singers change the costumes, what they need is to take off one from the shoulders and reverse it. The same costumes stay, and we see the different color/design. It is hard to explain.. You must see it!

I deeply admire this creative production including the full collaboration in every aspect of opera, 18th century music and text with 21st century artists on Disney Hall Stage. The singers are fantastic actors/actresses, and they make this tale lively and vivid, Rod Gilfry (Don Alfonso), Rosemary Joshua (Despina), Roxana Constantinescu (Dorabella), Miah Persson (Fiordiligi), Alek Shrader (Ferrando), and Philippe Sly (Guglielmo). Of course, Dudamel and LA Phil plays amazingly, 2 more shows to go.