NPR World of Opera
Cosi fan tutte, by Mozart

When Lorenzo Da Ponte wrote the libretto for Mozart's Cosi fan tutte, he had "plenty to go on." Similar stories had been told in ancient Greece, in Chinese folklore, and by Shakespeare. And that's a little surprising, because the story doesn't seem like one that could stand up to repeated tellings.

It's about two men who disguise themselves and then seduce each other's lovers -- while the women are totally clueless about what's really going on. That is, it's totally implausible. Yet, Mozart's Cosi has something in common many other great operas: While the plot may be laughably unrealistic, the emotions it stirs up are disturbingly true to life.

Cosi has been criticized because the characters' straightforward statements are made through such deep, and profoundly stirring music. But that contrast serves as a sharp reminder. The music serves to illuminate the characters' internal emotions, and how often do we betray the true depth of our feelings with meager statements and predictable actions?

While illustrating that all too common, disingenous behavior, the opera bluntly reminds us of the fragile and tenuous nature of our most cherished relationships. And it shines a harsh light on the barest of our vulnerabilities.

So tune in this week, and hold on to your hearts. It's Cosi fan tutte, from Houston Grand Opera. You might also visit NPR's At the Opera, for a full half-hour audio exploration of Mozart's complex masterpiece on-demand.

LINKS:

Synopsis
Libretto, in Italian
NPR's At the Opera