Mozart's opera Così fan tutte was commissioned by Lorenzo Da Ponte, the impresario, after Vienna celebrated a victory in the war against the Ottoman Empire in 1789.
Interpretation
This recording explores an alternative version of Così fan tutte where the lovers are 'uncrossed,' meaning the men attempt to seduce their own partners, a concept suggested by hints in Mozart's original manuscript.
Critical Reception
Early performances of Così fan tutte had high box office receipts, but the opera fell out of favor after the death of Joseph II led to the closure of theaters.
Critical Reception
Despite initial criticism of its plot, Così fan tutte flourished after Mozart's death, notably through Guardasoni's Italian-language production in Leipzig in the early 1790s.
Recording & Production
The conductor, Laurent Pillot, believes that in the conventional version of Così fan tutte, inconsistencies remain, such as the descriptions in the duet 'Ah, guarda, sorella' not matching the usual pairings.
Composition History
The libretto for Così fan tutte was originally started by Salieri under the title La scuola degli amanti, but he abandoned it after drafting the first two ensembles, making it available to Mozart and Da Ponte.
Recording & Production
Dame Felicity Lott, a soprano known for singing both Fiordiligi and Dorabella internationally, worked with the young cast and gave a public masterclass for this production.
