Three Days of Mozart
Mozart-Da Ponte-Cycle
In Italian with German and English surtitles
Synopsis
In the spring of 2019 the Salzburg State Theatre presents all three operas jointly created by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and congenial librettist Lorenzo Da Ponte. Florentine director Jacopo Spirei and his stage and costume designer Bettina Richter achieve a highly impressive interpretation of the cycle: “Le nozze di Figaro” is set in the Hollywood villa of a rich womanizer, in “Don Giovanni” the most famous ladies’ man of all times wreaks havoc on an American suburb and “Così fan tutte” follows the romantic troubles of a group of students at the University of Naples in Florida.
This season offers two extraordinary opportunities to watch the entire Mozart-Da Ponte-Cycle on three consecutive days in Mozart’s (1756 – 1791) hometown, interpreted by a young and agile Mozart ensemble and the Mozarteum Orchestra, conducted by musical director Adrian Kelly.
LE NOZZE DI FIGARO
Not too long ago, Figaro helped Count Almaviva abduct Rosina from the house of her guardian Dr. Bartolo so the Count could marry her. Now Figaro himself is about to marry Susanna, the maid of Countess Rosina. But by now the Count’s interest in his wife has waned and he is chasing other women. Unfortunately, he has chosen Susanna as the latest object of his desire. What ensues is a biting comedy about sex and power that has lost nothing of its relevance throughout the years and will make audiences choke back laughs.
Revival 02/05/2019 / Salzburg State Theatre
DON GIOVANNI
The drama opens with a murder and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart fittingly begins his opera with timpani beats – an ingenious kick-off for a plot surrounding an exceptional erotic figure: Don Giovanni. He seduces, engrosses and takes possession; no woman can withstand Don Giovanni, whose only purpose in life is momentarily satisfying his fleeting desires. Don Giovanni only lives in the here and now and he will stop at nothing to win a woman’s favours. It is precisely our fascination with a completely unfettered Eros that constitutes the special appeal of “Don Giovanni”, which remains unbroken even today.
Revival 18/05/2019 / Salzburg State Theatre
COSÌ FAN TUTTE
There is no such thing as a faithful woman – and one’s own woman is certainly no exception! This is the beginning of a wager suggested by Don Alfonso, who is experienced when it comes to love, to the two young hotspurs Ferrando and Guglielmo. The young men are eager to prove the faithfulness of their lovers, the sisters Dorabella and Fiordiligi. They pretend to have been called off to war on the highest orders and soon return in disguise, each of them courting the other’s lover. The ladies at first steadfastly refuse their advances, but the advice of outspoken Despina has a destabilising effect on their moral principles.
Revival 07/04/2019 / Salzburg State Theatre