24/01/2025 Opera Scenes
W A Mozart Cosi fan tutte
Jonathan Cocker director
Felicity Cliffe conductor
Tom Pieczora repetiteur
Sarah Rappoport Dorabella
Alex Peart Guglielmo
Guglielmo and his fellow officer, Ferrando, have agreed to a bet with the cynical philosopher Don Alfonso, who believes that the young men’s fiancées, Fiordiligi and Dorabella (who are sisters), can’t remain faithful for 24 hours. The men go off to battle, but then return in disguise. Each proceeds to woo the other’s beloved. Once Guglielmo is alone with Dorabella in the garden of the sisters’ home, it doesn’t take much effort on his part for her to fall for him. When, at his ardent request, she closes her eyes, he gently removes the locket around her neck containing Ferrando’s portrait, replacing it with a new necklace containing a heart. When Dorabella opens her eyes, she and Guglielmo declare delightedly to each other, ‘What a happy exchange!’ before going off together.
Gioachino Rossini Il barbiere di Siviglia
Jonathan Cocker director
Andre Chan conductor
Antonia Sotgiu language coach
Tom Pieczora repetiteur
Jackson Yu Bartolo
James Connolly Figaro
Siân Davies Rosina
Bradyn Debysingh Il Conte
Peter Entwisle Basilio
Disguised as the music teacher, Don Alonso, the Count has gained entry to Dr Bartolo’s house in his pursuit of Bartolo’s ward, Rosina. Figaro arrives to shave Bartolo. The Count and Rosina declare their love. The scene starts when Basilio (the real music teacher) arrives unexpectedly and is persuaded to leave because he is ‘ill’ with scarlet fever, with the added inducement of a purse of money. Figaro finally starts to shave Bartolo, who overhears the lovers and erupts in fury, temporarily upsetting their plans.
Giovanni Paisiello La pazza per amore
Jonathan Cocker director
Rosina Flueckiger conductor
Antonia Sotgiu language coach
Georgy Stepanov repetiteur
Katrina Mackenzie Nina
Doyeon Kim Susanna
Jacob Parker Pastore
Ran Wang Il Conte
Nina, the Count’s daughter has had her heart broken. She was to marry Lindoro, but on her wedding day, her father, the Count, withdrew his approval when a richer suitor turned up. Lindoro challenged the newcomer to a duel and was killed. Nina goes to the crossroads at the same time each day, supported by Susanna and a shepherd, to wait for Lindoro. Her father is consumed by remorse. Each day, as Lindoro fails to appear, the distraught Nina leaves flowers before returning to the village.