Così fan tutte (Naxos)

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The focus of Lorenzo Da Ponte's libretto for Così fan tutte is on female infidelity, two partner-swapping couples and a wager. It's enigmatic ambiguity and lightness of touch, it's razor's edge balance between irony and empathy, detachment and involvement, and on-stage reality and illusion is structured with perfect Classical symmetry. More than any other opera it explores the depths and darker impulses of the experience of love. This production by director Sven-Eric Bechtolf was given in Florence with a staging that 'holds a balance between philosophy and humour' (bachtrack. Com).