DU’s Lamont Opera Theatre presents its spring opera, Mozart’s “Cosi fan tutte,” April 14–17 at the Newman Center for the Performing Arts.
The opera illustrates the hilarious complications that follow fiancee-swapping, as two disguised young sailors try to test their soon-to-be brides’ fidelity.
The cast, crew and orchestra consist of students at DU’s Lamont School of Music, all of whom have been putting vast amounts of time and effort into this production.
“The students have been working on this since late September,” says director Kenneth Cox. “They have been working on everything: the music, text and characterizations.”
“Cosi fan tutte” will be performed in the original Italian with English supertitles, and learning all of the recitatives has been a major challenge for the Lamont students.
“It’s necessary to understand every word’s meaning and then learn the Italian language points of emphasis and cadences,” Cox says. “Only after much homework and study is it possible to deliver the recitatives in a professional manner.”
There are many hilarious scenes in “Cosi fan tutte,” specifically in the first act, which Cox describes as challenging with a lot of stage movement, big ensemble sections and many funny moments.
“Comedy is all about precision and timing,” Cox says. “The students are doing well, and I look forward to the first act being a highlight of each performance.”
Productions of “Cosi fan tutte” are at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 14, through Saturday, April 16, and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, April 17. All seats are reserved and range in price from $11 to $30. Visit NewmanTix for tickets and more information.