If Thus Do They All… a review of Cosi Fan Tutte (Bard on the Beach)
Guacira Naves is an internet strategist based in Vancouver. In her own words: Working with online media since 91. eMarketing Strategy since 98. Guacira kindly wrote a review of the Cosi Fan Tutte performance that was put on by Bard on the Beach. Thanks to Guacira for kindly writing this review!
There are many things that I’ve experienced once, and would definitely recommend: have visited Berlin, have tasted the Hungarian drink Unicum and have ridden a galloping horse. Yesterday, thanks to hummingbird604, I added one more item to this list. I went to a live opera. More specifically, Così Fan Tutte, by Mozart, part of the “Opera & Arias” performances from the “Bard on the Beach” series. The experience was AMAZING, and like many of my other “firsts” – definitely one that calls for an encore! So read on as I describe this occasion, from the perspective of someone who’s not at all an expert in the subject. I might just be able to debunk some myths you may have about opera.
The event took place at Vanier Park, with the North Shore mountains as its backdrop. The choir and opera singers were accompanied by members of the Vancouver Opera Orchestra, and in between scenes, Christopher Gaze took the stage to describe what would happen in upcoming scenes. That came in quite handy – after all, my middle school Italian is rusty and wasn’t enough to understand the lyrics. Mr. Gaze is the founding artistic director of Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival , and with his soothing British accent, he was a welcoming host.
Così Fan Tute can literally be translated as “Thus Do They All”. The title is based on the main plot: one middle-aged Don Alfonso (Campbell McLeod) bets with two soldiers that all women have fickle hearts – including their beautiful fiancées (sisters Fiordiligia and Dorabella, respectively played by Leah Alfred and Megan Brown). Don Alfonso explains to the soldiers, Ferrando (Brian Lee) and Guglielmo (Aaron Durand), that he’ll be successful in proving his point – if his instructions are precisely followed.
If your preconceived idea of a good opera is that it must be a sombre, solemn affair, you’d be pleasantly surprised. Although most of us in the audience obviously couldn’t understand the lyrics, laughter was irresistibly shared throughout the evening. One such instance, for example, was when chambermaid Despina (played by Lauren Patton) appeared on stage purposely disguised as a male notary, to officiate over a wedding. Or when the soldiers, dressed as Albanians, try to convince the sisters about their special features: their feet… their eyes… and their moustaches!
It’s one thing to hear classical music and opera through your headphones or at home. It’s something altogether different to experience it live. The sound of the violin, cello… everything was so magical and calming. I was instantaneously transported to another world. You see, I have one of those minds that are hard to quiet down. Yoga doesn’t do the trick. But for the duration of Così Fan Tutte, I was in a state of bliss. And no – the two glasses of wine that I sipped throughout the evening had nothing to do with it! All credit must be given to the talented members of UBC Opera Ensemble and of the Vancouver Opera Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Leslie Dala.
If you haven’t given opera a try, please do. UBC Opera and Vancouver Opera have other events coming up later this year and in the 2010 season. This night will go in my list of moments to never forget. If thus do all operas, I’m in.
Disclosure: The tickets to attend the opera were sponsored very generously by Bard on the Beach. In any review I write or publish on my site, I retain editorial control at all times. Should you have any questions/concern feel free to contact me via e-mail through my contact form.
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