Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #89806 in DVD
• Released on: 2001-06-30
• Rating: Exempt
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 2
• Formats: Box set, Classical, PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English, French, German
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 275 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Mozart's third and final opera with librettist Lorenzo da Ponte, the hugely ambitious dramatic comedy Così fan Tutte (roughly translated as: "They're All Like That"), is brought passionately to life in a first-class production conducted by Nikolaus Harnoncourt and featuring one of the great starring roles for Cecilia Bartoli. Filmed live at the Zurich Opera House in February 2000 on a set which visualises the subtitle "The School for Lovers", the plot revolves around two army officers arguing about the fidelity of their brides, then setting out to test their chastity. Despite the often playful humour, this is not only psychologically telling music-making, but reveals Mozart exploring the structure of opera, discarding convention to mix large ensemble sections with arias for as many different combinations of singers as possible. With Liliana Nikiteanu attractively contrasted with Bartoli, and thoroughly convincing performances by Roberto Sacca (Ferrando) and Oliver Widmer (Guilelmo), this Così has a freshness and flow which, coupled with the timeless romantic themes, feels very contemporary.

On the DVD: the presentation, which includes an interesting 22-minute behind-the-scenes documentary, is spread over two DVDs. There is a multi-language booklet minus libretto, though there is the option to watch with English subtitles. Given the difficult live stage lighting conditions the 16:9 anamorphically enhanced picture is as good as can be expected. There are both stereo and Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtracks, though the latter gives the voices a disconcertingly disembodied character, leaving the former to be preferred. The total running time is approximately 213 minutes, not 275 minutes stated on the packaging. --Gary S Dalkin

Special Features
16:9 Wide Screen
Region 0
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
PCM Stereo
English\French\German

Synopsis
COSI FAN TUTTE, Mozart's final comic opera, is performed here by the Zurich Opera House with Cecilia Bartoli assuming the main soprano role as Fiordiligi. Nikolaus Harnoncourt conducts the Zurich Opera House Chorus and Orchestra in Jurgen Flimms' production.

Customer Reviews

Beautifully filmed and recorded with a superb cast
From the moment it begins, this production of Cosi fan Tutti is obviously going to be something special. The atmospheric staging and excellent camera work gives the performances the immediacy and power of good TV drama. Add in the forceful singing of a committed cast, and you have a production that both entertains and makes you think.

This live recording, made at the Zurich Opera House in 2000, features a superb orchestra playing under Nikolaus Harnoncourt, whose interpretation is characteristically searching.

The cast as a whole is quite outstanding (Cecilia Bartoli and Liliana Nikiteanu's portrayals of Fiordiligi and Dorabella being of the highest quality, as is Roberto Sacca's Ferrando). Who really stole the show for me, though, was Carlos Chausson as Don Alfonso.

The quality of the picture is excellent, as is the sound, and for anyone who enjoys opera on DVD this is a must buy.

Perfection
Everything about this Così Fan Tutte from the Zürich Opera is good. The sets are beautiful and atmospheric, dominated by tastefully rich colours, and the performers sing and act so marvellously well that I just can't get enough of it. Every time I've seen it, I long to see it again. Cecilia Bartoli sings Fiordiligi better than anyone I've heard; she delivers Per pietà, ben mio, perdona in such a way that I find that this has become one of my favourite arias. Roberto Sacca as Ferrando is also at his best here, especially in the cavatina Tradito, schernito dal perfido cor and the quintet Di scrivermi ogni giorno. Agnes Baltsa in the role of Despina is perhaps not the very picture of a young servant maid, but we just have to stretch our imaginations here, and come to think of it, there's really no reason why Despina should not be older and more experienced than her two mistresses. Liliana Nikiteanu, Oliver Widmer and Carlos Chausson are almost as good actors as they are great singers; it is very much because of them that watching this Così instead of merely listening to a recording of it is strongly recommended. Nikolaus Harnoncourt brings out the best in the score, and the music for Così Fan Tutte is really among the most beautiful that Mozart has written. Thanks to everyone involved for this great production.

This COSI is not for me.

I was disappointed by this COSI. The stageing is dull and some of Harnoncourt tempi erratic. But my main crticism is the casting of Bartoli, a mezzo,in a soprano role particularly when her "sister" is already a mezzo. I have the greatest affection for Bartoli, but not here.