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Così at Glyndebourne

It was incredible. The octogenarian Sir Charles Mackerras was bright and energetic in the pit conducting this revival of Così fan tutte at Glyndebourne. Luckily he was supported by a strong cast. Barbara Senator and Sally Matthews as Dorabella and Fiordliligi respectively were convincing as fleeting lovers. Allan Clayton and Robert Gleadow (as Ferrando and Guglielmo) were slightly wooden in their acting, but compensated by good voices. Together the quartet worked well in delivering the fast-paced drama. Despina (Anna Maria Panzarella) was pretty fiesty too.

Though I was not totally convinced by the beginning of the first act. It seemed there was either insufficient drive from Pietro Spagnoli (as Don Alfonso), or the production got stuck - the pace seemed slow and there was not enough build up to the subsequent melodrama. I think the set worked well - but could see why others thought it's a bit dated. The second act picked up a lot - somehow everything geled better. I wonder how long before the Festival decides to retire it.


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