Florida Grand Opera to Present COSI FAN TUTTE in 2015

Florida Grand Opera follows up its critically acclaimed production of Madama Butterfly with a modern retelling of a Mozart favorite, the comic opera Così fan tutte, opening on Saturday, January 24 at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts.

Adultery, disguised lovers, and a risqué bet. Così fan tutte is the Dangerous Liaisons of the opera repertoire as it makes frank observation of the frailty of human relationships through the lens of a comedy.

This Florida Grand Opera original production, which was last performed in 2008, will be given new life thanks to the efforts of the FGO production staff. Director Bernard Uzan, along with the FGO creative team, will be infusing the opera with a new vision, thus updating and adding credibility to this absurd yet classic opera to make it relevant to modern, South Florida audiences. In addition new costumes and props have been added to further enhance this innovative interpretation.

FGO's updated production will take place at a luxurious hotel in modern-day Europe. The opera tells the story of two young military officers, Ferrando and Guglielmo, visiting their fiancées (sisters Dorabella and Fiordiligi) who, in this production, are away on vacation. The men make a bet with an older friend, Don Alfonso, that their fiancées will remain faithful to them under any circumstance. Don Alfonso arranges for the men to leave the sisters but to immediately return in disguise to seduce the women. The sisters protest at first, but quickly fall for the other's lover, creating a situation where the men cheat on the women by way of the women cheating on the men. When the trick is revealed, all is forgiven, but will their lives ever be the same again? If you find the ending a little unsettling, you've gotten the point!

Following the triumphs of Le nozze di Figaro and Don Giovanni, Così fan tutte is the third and final collaboration of the gifted librettist Lorenzo Da Ponte and the brilliant Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The theme of testing the constancy of women by improvising a trial can be traced into deep antiquity, but the treatment provided by Mozart and Da Ponte deliciously dissects the social mores of the late. Full of sublime music, virtuosic arias, and beautiful ensembles, Mozart's work is so breathtakingly skillful that it is considered by some to be his best.

"There are some incredible musical moments in this charming opera. Così fan tutte contains some of Mozart's most sensuous and romantic music - all set against this backdrop of a comedy," remarks Susan T. Danis, General Director and CEO of Florida Grand Opera.

This masterful score will be played by the Florida Grand Opera orchestra, led by FGO's Principal Conductor, Maestro Ramón Tebar.

Out of all of Mozart's well-known operas, Così has been the least understood. It was once considered risqué, if not immoral, and during the 1800s Mozart's music was frequently performed with an entirely different libretto bearing no resemblance to the original.

"It's a very misunderstood piece," says Danis. "But between the incredible cast that we've lined up and the direction of Bernard Uzan, I think people are going to be surprised with how much they enjoy the opera."

Sisters Fiordiligi and Dorabella will be played by soprano Sari Gruber and mezzo-soprano Brenda Patterson respectively, both making their FGO debut on January 24. Hailed as "nothing short of sensational" (Opera Magazine) and "a real creature of the stage" (Opera News), Gruber's voice has been described as "luminous" and "show-stopping great," while her vibrant and passionate portrayals have "lit up the stage" in repertoire ranging from baroque to contemporary works.

Widely regarded as "a voice you want to hear and, even more, an artist you want to follow" (New York Times), Patterson has sung leading roles with many world-class opera organizations, such as Glimmerglass Festival, Opera Colorado and the Lyric Opera of Kansas City, among others.

Soprano Hailey Clark and mezzo-soprano Carla Jablonski will also perform the roles of Fiordiligi and Dorabella on January 25, 30, and February 14.

The role of Ferrando will be played by tenor Jason Slayden (January 24, 27, 31, and February 12). Slayden, who will be making his FGO debut on opening night, is on the cusp of an international career and is celebrated for the warmth and beauty of his voice, as well as demonstrating "considerable subtlety as an actor."

Jonathan Beyer will make his FGO debut in the role of Guglielmo. Hailed by OperaNow, The New York Times, Opera News, and other leading publications, Beyer (January 24, 27, 31, and February 12) is an international, award-winning baritone known for his impressive range in both vocal and acting ability.

Tenor Daniel Bates and baritone Isaac Bray will also play the roles of Ferrando and Guglielmo on January 25, 30, and February 14 after their recent triumphs in FGO's production of Madama Butterfly.

Legendary bass Arthur Woodley has appeared with prestigious opera companies all over the U.S. and the world and will debut at FGO in the role of the scheming Don Alfonso. The role of the conniving maid, Despina, will be shared by Grammy-nominee soprano Ava Pine (making her FGO debut on January 24, 27, 31, and February 12) and Rebecca Henriques (January 25, 30, and February 14).

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