Mozart - Cosi fan Tutte
by Jean-Pierre Ponnelle, Nikolaus Harnoncourt
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Delores Ziegler, Edita Gruberova, Ferruccio Furlanetto, Luis Lima, Teresa StratasDirector: Jean-Pierre Ponnelle, Nikolaus Harnoncourt
Brand: Universal Studios
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); German (Subtitled); English (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); Italian (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); Italian (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1; Italian (Published), Dolby Digital 5.1; English (Published); French (Published); Spanish (Published); Mandarin Chinese (Published)
Format: Classical, Color, DTS Surround Sound, NTSC, Subtitled
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 176 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2006-05-09
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Deutsche Grammophon
Movie Reviews of Mozart - Cosi fan Tutte
Movie Review: Ponnelle's final filmed opera is beautiful, bittersweet Mozart
Summary: 5 Stars
Jean-Pierre Ponnelle specialized in filming opera: lip synching the singing while recording recitatives live. He intended to film all of Mozart's operas but passed away (in August 1988), scant weeks after the completion of this film. He filmed only 4 Mozart operas: le Nozze di Figaro, la Clemenza di Tito, Mitridate and Cosi. It is a pity we will never see his Don Giovanni or Magic Flute. Ponnelle brought keen insight and subtle beauty to his filmed operas: never more evident than here, in his vision of a contest of mistaken identity and love held in a beautiful seaside Palladian villa.
Mozart composed Cosi fan Tutte in a few weeks in autumn 1789 on commission from Emperor Joseph II of Austria (famous for this critique of Mozart: "Too beautiful for our ears and monstrous many notes, my dear Mozart". Mozart supposedly replied "Exactly as many as necessary, your majesty"). 1789 was a hard year for the composer. He composed few other works that year as he sank into despondency over his financial situation. Despite his emotional turmoil, Cosi is one of his loveliest scores with 12 gorgeous arias balanced by 18 ensembles of heart melting beauty. All this is framed by an indefinable sadness; creating that trademark Mozartian emotional ambiguity, hallmark of his greatness. When done right, Cosi fan Tutte ("They all do it" or "They are all like that". It loses in translation.) just might be the most perfect opera buffa Mozart ever composed. The opera premiered in Vienna on 26 January 1790. It was immediately controversial for its subject matter. Beethoven hated it, considering it immoral and idiotic. That kind of criticism didn't help its commercial prospects in the 19th Century.
Ponnelle manages to get it right, with the proper combination of visual and vocal beauty. Because the singers lip synch their arias, they can concentrate on their acting which is good enough for comic opera. It was filmed in Munich 1-15 June 1988 with the sound recording made 25 February-12 March 1988 in Vienna. Edita Gruberova and Delores Ziegler are the sisters Fiordiligi and Dorabella. They are very similar in appearance: making the story that much more believable. They even sound somewhat alike. I had some difficulty telling them apart, which made the opera more fun for me. I thought they were fine in the film. Ferruccio Furlanetto is Guglielmo. He is a well known Leporello, so Mozart wears well on him. Luis Lima is Ferrando. They are both energetic, if not especially romantic, lovers. Their singing is fine with Furlanetto the better comedian. Don Alfonso is sung by the distinguished looking Paolo Montarsolo. He looks the part, though his voice does get a little tattered now and again. Teresa Stratas is Despina and she is funny and effervescent when it is called for. Mozart indicates that she is to sing "dryly" in her comic scenes in disguise. Some may find her voice grating when she goes over-the-top. Her normal singing voice is limpid and warm. Quite a contrast. Nikolaus Harnoncourt conducts the Vienna Philharmonic, drawing a good, solid performance from them. I thought they lacked a little of their usual Mozartian sparkle. Perhaps this was an artifact of recording for a film.
The picture format is NTSC with a 4:3 aspect ratio shot full-screen. The picture appears digitally remastered for this apparent DGG DVD re-release. It looks fine and clear with no visual artifacts. If there were any, they have now been removed. Region code is 0 worldwide. Sound formats are PCM stereo and DTS 5.1 Digital Surround. Both formats sound good with the DTS widening the soundfield and providing nice ambiance from the rear speakers. Menus are in English. Subtitles are in Italian, English, German, French, Spanish and Chinese. There is a marvelously revealing 34 minute film of Ponnelle rehearsing Cosi as a bonus. Total time of the 2 discs is 209 minutes.
Ponnelle's final fimed opera is beautiful to look at and lovely to listen to. It is not the finest recorded Cosi but it is quite good nevertheless. Recommended, as long as it is not your only Cosi fan tutte and you are willing to accept lip synching.
Mike Birman
Summary of Mozart - Cosi fan Tutte
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