What is the setting for Phelim McDermott's production of Così Fan Tutte?

The production is set in Coney Island during the 1950s, featuring a lively circus troupe.

Who are the standout performers in the ENO's Così Fan Tutte revival?

Key performers include Andrew Foster-Williams as Don Alfonso, Lucy Crowe as Fiordiligi, and Darwin Prakash and Joshua Blue as Guglielmo and Ferrando, with Ailish Tynan as Despina.

How does this production address the challenging themes in Mozart's opera?

The staging injects humor and sass into the opera's cynicism and outdated sexual politics, presenting them as sheer entertainment.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Coney Island Opera: Lust, Laughter, and Love!

Coney Island Opera: Lust, Laughter, and Love!

8 Feb

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Summary

Phelim McDermott's 2014 production updates Mozart's opera.
The staging is set in 1950s Coney Island with circus performers.
A strong cast and energetic orchestra enhance the performance.

Coney Island Opera: Lust, Laughter, and Love!

Phelim McDermott's 2014 production of Mozart's Così Fan Tutte, originally staged by English National Opera, offers a fresh take on the opera's complexities. The revival, which is currently being performed, presents the work with humor and wit, setting the stage in a vibrant 1950s Coney Island. This imaginative staging features a lively circus troupe and a cleverly designed, rotating set that enhances the visual spectacle.

The production skillfully navigates the opera's themes of cynicism and outdated sexual politics, reframing them as pure entertainment. The performers, including Andrew Foster-Williams as Don Alfonso and Lucy Crowe as Fiordiligi, deliver strong vocal performances. Supported by an energetic orchestra conducted by Dinis Sousa and a witty translation by Jeremy Sams, the cast brings a dynamic energy to the stage, making for a thoroughly enjoyable and engaging operatic experience.