A
Controversial Così
GIUSEPPE PENNISI was in the audience
at Teatro dell'Opera di Roma
at Teatro dell'Opera di Roma
Something strange happened at Teatro dell'Opera di Roma on 18
January 2017 where I sat in row 15 seat 6. Normally, Teatro dell'Opera audiences are quite tame and quiet, and after more than three
and half hours of performance, they would
then run to the cloakroom, all the more on a freezing night, to reach a taxi or the
underground. Instead, when the curtain closed on the last notes of the new production of Mozart's Così fan tutte, there were
almost ten minutes of applause for the conductor, the soloists, the chorus and the orchestra. This was followed by a full
battery of boos for stage director Graham Vick and his
collaborators for stage setting and costumes.
Yet, the opera is well known (see
'Eros and Philosophy', 6 August 2016) and Graham
Vick is a stage director who won several awards in Italy (six Premio Abbiati, the
highest Italian awards for opera) and
elsewhere (eg Commander of the British Empire and Chevalier de
l'Ordre des Arts et de Lettres). The plot is conceived as the contrast
between Enlightenment, on the one hand, and affections and sex instincts, on
the other. In short, a dark comedy on the struggle between
Enlightenment and its rationalism, on the one hand, and sentiments and erotic love on the other.
 A scene from Graham Vick's production of Mozart's 'Così fan tutte' at Teatro dell'Opera di Roma. Photo © 2017 Yasuko Kageyama. Click on the image for higher resolution |
At the end, there is no winner: the final scene is open as the confrontation
continues ... maybe forever. Musically, the first act is full of fun
and games, whilst the second is sober as the protagonists betray, and
are betrayed by, each other. At the basis of the intrigue, the tutor of two Neapolitan youngsters
suggests that they try to prove the loyalties of their girlfriends by each
courting, in disguise, the girlfriend of the other; they all fall into the
trap.
 Francesca Dotto as Fiordiligi and J F Gatell as Ferrando in 'Così fan tutte' at Teatro dell'Opera di Roma. Photo © 2017 Yasuko Kageyama. Click on the image for higher resolution |
As the original title was 'The School for Lovers', Graham Vick staged the plot
in a school which seems more a grade school than a senior high school or even one
of the initial years of the University. Ferrando (Juan Francisco Gatell) wore
Bermudas, Guglielmo (Vito Priante) looked like a disheveled kid. Fiordiligi
(Francesca Dotto) was in rather cheap dresses and Dorabella (Chiara Amarù) in
attire that emphasized rather than disguised that she is a bit chunky.
 Francesca Dotto as Fiordiligi and Chiara Amarù as Dorabella in Mozart's 'Così fan tutte' at Teatro dell'Opera di Roma. Photo © 2017 Yasuko Kageyama. Click on the image for higher resolution |
Don Alfonso (Pietro Spagnoli) was a middle aged school teacher and Despina (Monica Bacelli)
a cleaning lady of uncertain age.
 Pietro Spagnoli as Don Alfonso and Monica Bacelli as Despina in 'Così fan tutte' at Teatro dell'Opera di Roma. Photo © 2017 Yasuko Kageyama. Click on the image for higher resolution |
 Vito Priante as Guglielmo and Juan Francisco Gatell as Ferrando in 'Così fan tutte' at Teatro dell'Opera di Roma. Photo © 2017 Yasuko Kageyama. Click on the image for higher resolution |
Readers can see the school and the shabby costumes from the photos. Of
course, there is no room for the philosophical aspect of the bittersweet dramma
giocoso skillfully written by Lorenzo Da Ponte and for the
ambiguous music by Mozart. Graham Vick is a divinity in the operatic world, but at times even divinities
make wrong decisions. To his merit, I can say that the acting is very carefully and
skillfully linked to the music, especially in the first part.
 Francesca Dotto as Fiordiligi in 'Così fan tutte' at Teatro dell'Opera di Roma. Photo © 2017 Yasuko Kageyama. Click on the image for higher resolution |
Fortunately, the musical aspects were excellent. The orchestra was
magnificently conducted by Speranza Scappuci, also at
the fortepiano during the
recitatives. Gatell sang with a clear voice which enveloped the audience. Priante is a solid well
rounded baritone. Dotto and Amarù alternated
very well the dramatic arias (eg Come Scoglio) with
lighter ones, and funnier parts.
 The whole cast at a moment in Act II of 'Così fan tutte' at Teatro dell'Opera di Roma. Photo © 2017 Yasuko Kageyama. Click on the image for higher resolution |
Spagnoli is a well rounded bass and Bacelli a very good mezzo. They are also excellent actors. They deserved all the
applause they could get.
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