RECOMMENDED
The last of the triptych of Da Ponte-Mozart collaborations, “Così fan tutte,” came to be viewed as treating feminine fidelity in such a cavalier manner that, despite it featuring some of Mozart’s most exquisite music, it fell out of favor in the opera house for nearly a century.
It has only been since the Second World War that “Così” started to become standard repertoire, though often with changes or stagings that blunted the brilliance of its sophisticatedly whimsical libretto.
Lyric’s current production is the 2021 finale of late director Michael Cavanagh’s modern updating of the three Da Ponte-Mozart operas for San Francisco Opera. (Roy Rallo directs the Lyric incarnation.)
The transposition is to a 1930s seaside resort, where the colors, costumes, scenery and approach are overstated and buffoonish. Things are over-the-top, the action subsequently drags and it often feels as if the entire cast is acting in italics.
When a serious moment does arrive via an aria, duet, trio or ensemble, the tendency is to shut out the silly world the singers inhabit by placing them outside of the scenery via sudden screens.
Three of the four romantic leads were making their Lyric debuts: soprano Jacquelyn Stucker as Fiordiligi, Italian mezzo soprano Cecilia Molinari as Dorabella and tenor Anthony León as Ferrando. All were impressive, but León’s clarion and organic-sounding tenor was the standout at Sunday’s opening performance. Baritone and Ryan Center alumnus Ian Rucker made a convincing Guglielmo.
Puerto Rican soprano Ana María Martínez, who sang Fiordiligi at Lyric’s last “Così” eight years ago, has since transitioned to the role of the maid Despina; this production calls for her to overemphasize the comedy. Baritone Rod Gilfry makes a philosophical Don Alfonso.
Lyric music director Enrique Mazzola did a wonderful job keeping the music balanced, buoyant and nuanced. Bravo.
Lyric’s “Così fan tutte” runs through February 15 at Lyric Opera House, 20 North Wacker (at Madison). For tickets and more information, visit lyricopera.org.
