Mozart: Così fan tutte

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Composer), Sir Colin Davis (Conductor), Orchestra of Royal Opera House - Covent Garden (Orchestra), Montserrat Caballé (Performer), Janet Baker (Performer), Ileana Cotrubas (Performer), Wladimiro Ganzarolli (Performer), Nicolai Gedda (Performer), Thomas Allen (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Montserrat Caballé, Janet Baker, Ileana Cotrubas, Wladimiro Ganzarolli, Nicolai Gedda, et al.
• Orchestra: Orchestra of Royal Opera House - Covent Garden
• Conductor: Sir Colin Davis
• Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
• Audio CD (January 16, 1992)
• SPARS Code: ADD
• Number of Discs: 3
• Label: Philips
• ASIN: B00000411N
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #206,771 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #47 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Divas > Caballe, Montserrat

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars sails far past every other available Cosi..., March 16, 2001

By 

J. Anderson (Monterey, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Mozart: Così fan tutte (Audio CD)

I so agree with the last reviewer! As to another reviewer's dissertation on what constitues a "Mozart singer", hogwash! Montserrat Caballe failing to understand at every moment that she is singing Mozart? Hogwash! A 'Mozart singer' is like every other 'singer' - you got it or you ain't; the rest is intellectual preening and has nothing to do with genuine operatic art. And what singing this is - a Cosi to treasure! Mozart's ensemble writing in this opera surpasses that of his other operas, and Baker, Cotrubas and Caballe find an emotional perfection in the rendering that alters the earth's orbit! I've not heard another Cosi like it since Cotrubas' earlier recording with von Stade and Stratas. I also have the Harmonia Mundi recording and find it mundane by comparison. Veronique Gens has fioriture up her sleeve; she can pull it out, but she sings with the emotional depth of a teenager. Hers is a vocal aesthetic for Lully or Rameau, but not Bach, and certainly Mozart suggests that more consolidation of resources is necessary. Why not hire David Bowie for the role? -might as well. What is more 'stylish' than the musicianship these peerless singers and musicians bring to this surpassing Cosi? Please not Rene Jacobs' arcane treatment of the score, though I do admire the Cologne orchestra, particularly the weight of the strings, but that too cerebral 'informed classicism' always sticks its little notebook up into the musical air. Colin Davis rivals his own Tosca (also with Caballe) in this recording. The Covent Garden forces shine under his watch, even more, they consistently reach into themselves and deep into Mozart, deep into the opera - an attribute I would not ordinarily ascribe to this opera orchestra and chorus. Nicolai Gedda will probably die still insufficiently revered, he is one of the supreme artists of our time, or any time; he is as desirable an actor as he is miraculous singer. Even now, as things fall apart, he remains the present heart of any opera ensemble. His artistry burnishes this recording to a glow. Get this recording - it really has no rival at present.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AN ASSEMBLY OF ENSEMBLES, July 16, 1999

By 

Shawn Chua (Singapore) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mozart: Così fan tutte (Audio CD)

Cosi being the last of Mozart's operas in collaboration with da Ponte, it has some of the most heaven-sent music set to a witty libretto, however the theme of infidelity did not go down well in its history to date. But here, we have a performance of such intensity and profundity, played and sung to perfection, it is hard to resist temptation.

Fiordiligi is perhaps the Mozart role every soprano dreams of singing. Two great arias to win the crowds over with, and major contributions in incisive and witty ensembles and suspense-filled finales, Fiordiligi is a demanding role. However, no other role is as rewarding. The music is gorgeous, possibly Mozart's best.

Caballe's reading of Fiordiligi shows us the ideal when a singer is perfectly in synchronisation with the character and is suited to a role. Her singing harks back to an era gone by, of musical intellect, of profound understanding, of inate musicality and unparalled technical prowess. Her gloriously sung Fiordiligi is aided and abetted by her beautiful voice, pouring forth note after note and phrase after phrase of sublime molten gold.

In the test aria, Come scoglio", she works around the technicalities and hurdles of the piece and delivers an effortlessly accomplished and beautiful redition. "Per pieta" shows her to further advantage where she excels in her long-breathed phrasing of the music with her trademark piano singing.

With Dame Janet Baker as Dorabella, this performance gains yet another asset. Her foundation in Mozart is as good as it gets, with her intense potrait of Dorabella compared to Caballe's more bouyant Fiordiligi. She sings with that dark-toned voice of great beauty and intensity that results in one of the best pairings of the sisters on record.

The role of the lovers, Ferrando and Guglielmo, are taken by Nicolai Gedda and Wladimiro Ganzarolli. Gedda gives a refined reading of "Un aura amorosa" and wins us over with his Ferrando. On the other hand, the smug Guglielmo is sung by Ganzarolli who sings with aplomb and gusto.

As an ensemble opera, all the six characters are important and bear the success of the opera on their shoulders. Ileana Cotrubas as Despina gives an impassioned performance and her inpersonations of the doctor and the notary are given delightful voices. As the cynical Don Alfonso, Richard Van Allan gives the old philosopher a character well-fleshed out.

This recording is one of the most beautifully sung and well recorded. The ensembles show all the principles singing with understanding of the roles. The Royal Opera House Orchestra and Chorus under the baton of Sir Colin Davis with the accompaniment of John Constable completes the picture. A picture of a recording that is a worthy addition to any opera library. Mozart would have loved this!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Splendid mozart, October 30, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Mozart: Così fan tutte (Audio CD)

This is a magnificient performance of Cosi Fan Tutte, greats Montserrat Caballe and Nicolai Gedda (fine and beautiful singing), Janet Baker (a great and refined mozartian singer), and Ileana Cotrubas (very intelligent and interesting interpretation). Waldimiro Ganzarolli and Richard Van Allan are suitables in their respective roles. Colin Davis is (together with Karajan, Bohm, Furtwangler and Solti) one of the greatest mozartian directors of the century.