Love, disguise and betrayal – opera has never been so playfully provocative. Opera Anywhere’s latest offering, a brand-new production of Così fan tutte directed by Tristan Stocks, takes Mozart’s sparkling comedy and gives it a fresh, sun-soaked setting with a 1950s Gibraltar twist. This fast-paced, English-language version clocks in at just two hours, making it perfect for long-time opera lovers and newcomers alike.
Bursting with gorgeous music, ridiculous misunderstandings and big philosophical questions (can love survive a bet?), this production doesn’t take itself too seriously – and that’s exactly the point.
Set against the intrigue and sun-bleached glamour of post-war Gibraltar, this version reimagines the original tale with a dash of seaside espionage and café culture. The characters may be in civvies rather than corsets, but the drama is as deliciously tangled as ever.
The Plot – or how not to test your girlfriend’s loyalty
It all starts with a boast and a bet. Don Alfonso, ever the cynic is boasting and betting with his younger friends Ferrando and Guglielmo. He claims that their fiancées, Fiordiligi and Dorabella are incapable of staying faithful. The two men laugh off the idea, but they take the bait. Alfonso proposes a test: the men will pretend to be called away to war, then return in disguise to try and seduce each other’s partners.
What follows is a comic whirl of costume changes, fake poisonings, love declarations and dramatic swooning – all accompanied by some of Mozart’s most glorious music.
As the lines between joke and genuine affection blur, everyone is forced to confront uncomfortable truths. Can love built on deception survive? Or, as the title Così fan tutte suggests, is this just how people behave?
You can read more about the production here, and find out where it’s touring – or grab your tickets – via Opera Anywhere’s tour page.
Director in the Spotlight: a few questions for Tristan Stocks
We’re catching up with the director (and cast member!) Tristan Stocks to get the inside scoop on this clever new adaptation.
Here are a few questions we’ve sent his way to whet your appetite:
Q. What drew you to Così fan tutte for this season’s production?
A. Così fan tutte is brilliantly sharp and witty and contains Mozart’s typically lush composition in all its glory! Opera anywhere loves bringing this traditional but vibrant music (and theatre) to audiences everywhere and “Così” offers us the opportunity to deliver fantastic opera to everyone!
Q. Why set the opera in 1950s Gibraltar?
A. The original was set in Naples, but there’s something intriguing about post-war Gibraltar. We love to come up with new ideas for our productions and Gibraltar offers us the perfect opportunity to combine a British naval base with a unique variation on a key aspect of the plot where two visitors arrive from Albania. Come and see our performance and you’ll discover how we’ve adapted this!
Q. How do you think audiences will respond to this version?
A. Our production of Cosi fan tutte fantastic show will offer audiences who already know the piece familiarity at the same time as completely shaking things up. If you’re new to the show, sit back and enjoy – we promise it will provide laughter, enrichment and a few hours in which you can be lost in another world!
Q. What was it like adapting the opera into a two-hour performance?
A. This was of course one of the most difficult tasks. Two hours is really lean for a Mozart opera, but in part this has been achieved by reducing the amount of repartition (which was the style of the time) but also by making positive decisions about which items are really key to the plot and to the score. We hope that we’ve achieved something which will appeal to all audiences and keep this music loved and enjoyed by everyone!
Q. Is there a moment in the show that you’re especially excited for audiences to see?
A. When Guglielmo and Ferrando come back in disguise as we have come up with something quite unique and I’ll be excited to see how the audience reacts!
Whether you’re there for the laughs, the melodies, or the all-too-relatable human messiness, Così fan tutte promises an unforgettable night at the opera – with just the right amount of scandal and sunshine.
Ready to experience Cosi fan Tutte Opera Anywhere style?
🎟️ Book your tickets now
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