Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Ouvertura
2. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 1. Scene 1.: La mia Dorabella capce non è
3. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 1. Scene 1.: Fuor la spade! Scegliete qual di noi più vi piace
4. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 1. Scene 1.: È la fede delle femmine come l'araba fenice
5. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 1. Scene 1.: Scioccherie di poeti!
6. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 1. Scene 1.: Una bella serenata far io voglio all mia dea
7. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 1. Scene 2.: Ah quarda, sorella
8. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 1. Scene 2.: Mi par, che stamattina volentieri farei la pazzarella
9. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 1. Scene 2.: Vorrei dir, e cor non ho
10. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 1. Scene 2.: Stelle! Per caritá, signor Alfonso
11. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 1. Scene 2.: Sento o Dio, che questo piede
12. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 1. Scene 2.: Non piangere, idol mio!
13. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 1. Scene 2.: Al fato dan legge quegli occhi vezzosi
14. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 1. Scene 2.: La commedia è graziosa
15. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 1. Scene 2.: Bella vita militar!
16. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 1. Scene 2.: Non v'è più tempo, amici
17. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 1. Scene 2.: Di scrivermi ogni giorno
18. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 1. Scene 2.: Bella vita militar
19. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 1. Scene 2.: Dove son?
20. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 1. Scene 2.: Soave sia il vento
21. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 1. Scene 2.: Non sono cattivo comico ! Nel mare solca
22. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 1. Scene 3.: Che vita maledetta è il far la cameriera!
23. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 1. Scene 3.: Ah! scostati! Paventa il tristo effetto d'un disperato affetto!
24. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 1. Scene 3.: Smanie implacabili
25. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 1. Scene 3.: Signora Dorabella, signora Fiordiligi
26. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 1. Scene 3.: In uomini, in soldati sperare fedeltà?

Disc 2:

1. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 1. Scene 3.: Che silenzio! Che aspetto di tristezza
2. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 1. Scene 3.: Alla bella Despinetta vi presento, amici miei
3. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 1. Scene 3.: Che sussurro! Che strepito! Che scompiglio è mai questo?
4. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 1. Scene 3.: Temerari! Sortite fuori di questo loco!
5. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 1. Scene 3.: Come Scoglio immoto resta
6. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 1. Scene 3.: Ah, non partite!
7. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 1. Scene 3.: Non siate ritrosi, occhietti vezzosi
8. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 1. Scene 3.: E voi ridete?
9. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 1. Scene 3.: Si può sapere un poco la cagion di quel riso?
10. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 1. Scene 3.: Un'aura amorosa del nostro tesoro
11. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 1. Scene 3.: La saria da ridere
12. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 1. Scene 4.: Ah, che tutta in un momento si cangiò
13. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 1. Scene 4.: Eccovi il medico, signore belle!
14. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 1. Scene 4.: Dammi un bacio, o mio tesoro
15. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 2. Scene 1.: Andate là, che siete due bizzarre ragazze
16. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 2. Scene 1.: Una donna a quindici anni
17. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 2. Scene 1.: Sorella, cosa dici?
18. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 2. Scene 1.: Prenderò quel brunettino
19. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 2. Scene 1.: Ah, correte al giardino
20. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 2. Scene 2.: Secondate, aurette amiche
21. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 2. Scene 2.: Il tutto deponete sopra quei tavolini
22. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 2. Scene 2.: Oh che bella giornata!
23. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 2. Scene 2.: Il core vi dono, bell'idolo mio

Disc 3:

1. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 2. Scene 2.: Barbara! Perché fuggi?
2. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 2. Scene 2.: Ah! Lo veggio, quell'anima bella
3. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 2. Scene 2.: Ei parte... senti... ah no!
4. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 2. Scene 2.: Per pietà, ben mio, perdona all'error
5. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 2. Scene 2.: Amico, abbiamo vinto!
6. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 2. Scene 2.: Donne Mie, la fate a tanti
7. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 2. Scene 2.: In qual fiero contrasto
8. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 2. Scene 2.: Tradito, schernito dal perfido cor
9. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 2. Scene 2.: Bravo ! Questa è costanza!
10. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 2. Scene 3.: Ora vedo che siete una donna di garbo
11. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 2. Scene 3.: + Amore un ladroncello
12. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 2. Scene 3.: Come tutto congiura a sedurre il mio cor!
13. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 2. Scene 3.: Fra gli amplessi in pochi istanti
14. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 2. Scene 3.: Ah, poveretto me, cosa ho veduto!
15. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 2. Scene 3.: Tutti accusan le donne
16. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 2. Scene 3.: Vittoria, padroncini!
17. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 2. Scene 4.: Fate presto, o cari amici
18. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 2. Scene 4.: E nel tuo, nel mio bicchiero
19. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 2. Scene 4.: Miei signori, tutto è fatto
20. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 2. Scene 4.: Sani e salvi agli amplessi amorosi
21. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 2. Scene 4.: V'ingannai, ma fu l'inganno
22. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Act 2. Scene 4.: Fortunato l'uom che prende ogni cosa pel buon verso

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #86478 in Music
• Released on: 1996-03-12
• Number of discs: 3
• Dimensions: .63 pounds

Amazon.com
This delicately balanced story of two engaged couples who are inveigled into a brief flirtation with infidelity inspired some of the finest music Mozart ever composed. It is often textured with the fine nuances of chamber music, with some particularly delectable woodwind parts, and it progresses from contrived artificiality--when the two men make a rash bet with a friend about the unshakable faithfulness of their fiancées--into intense despair when that fidelity begins to be shaken. There is also slapstick-level comedy. It is all held together under Georg Solti's genial direction, with singing--solo and ensemble--of the highest quality. --Joe McLellan

Customer Reviews

Magnetic
Solti gives a magnetic reading of Cosi Fan Tutte from start to finish! From the very first chords of the overture, you're mesmerized until the finale. You really feel that everyone is having fun at the performance that night - Solti, Renee, Annie, Frank, Olaf, Pertusi. Everyone is enjoying themselves, including the audience who are incredibly quiet. Unlike many other recordings where audience coughing intrudes into the performance, you only get a ripple of laughter once or twice (which adds to the realism and which again indicates how much the audience loved the performance). There is applause after a few numbers - in particular Fiordiligi's arias and a few other arias and the final ensemble. Some people think that is an irritation, I think it adds to the sense of occasion and fun. Frankly, I always like CDs where there is applause at the end. Otherwise, it sounds "dead" after the performance ends.

Renee Fleming produces a ravishingly beautiful tone. Her long beautiful phrases are incredible. Before I heard this recording, I didn't really take much notice of Renee Fleming. "Bah! Another hype!" I thought. But oh how wrong I was. Renee Fleming is destined to take her place among legends such as Christa Ludwig, Scwarzkopf, and Joan Sutherland. Her voice is gorgeous. No wonder she has reputedly one of the most beautiful voices in the world. Annie Von Sofie is, as usual, a rock solid performer. She nevers gives anything less than excellent and in this recording it shows. Her arias are beautifully sung, fleet and agile. She is just a shade less opulent than legendary Christa Ludwig in the Bohm EMI set. Frank Lopardo is astonishing as Ferrando. His exquisite shading of his part took everyone by surprise. It is a stunning performance and the audience goes wild with applause after all his arias. His pianissimi is just incredible. I doubt you'll ever hear a better recorded Un Amorosa. Gorgeously sung. You'll be completely seduced by his singing. No wonder Fiordiligi caved in!!Olaf Bar is excellent as Guglielmo although he doesn't reach the distinction of Lopardo and Fleming. Still, we are comparing him with two singers of exceptional distinction. That doesn't mean he is bad. He is outstanding. The remaining singers are also excellent. Scarabelli in particular sounds her part in Despina - the characterization is superb. You can hear her character from the singing.

Much as I admire the Bohm set, I feel that this set really surpasses it. I have both recordings by the way. I love Mozart and I couldn't live without both. in particular, I love Christa Ludwig, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf in the Bohm set. However, if pressed, I would choose the Solti as the top pick. Whenever I feel down, listening to the Solti set always brightens up my day simply because of the happiness that the performers exude. So you have my verdict.

A brilliant recording of a great opera!
I've seen this opera several times and I've heard excerpts from other recordings as well, and I've concluded that this recording is absolutely the most brilliant I've heard. The more I listen to it, the more I love it. Why?

1) Lopardo is the most musically expressive tenor I've heard sing this part -- his rich, mellow voice sounds light and flirtatious when he's wooing, and it sounds intense and positively anguished when he's singing of betrayal. But he has great comic timing, too, and one can almost see him smugly buffing his nails against his lapel when he wins his lady. He has an amazing range in terms of dynamics, style, and musicality. Every other time I've heard "Un'aura amorosa," it's been breezed through somewhat superficially. But Lopardo starts tenderly and grows to a full-bodied intensity, and then transitions with a beautiful diminuendo into the reprise. It's breathtaking.

2) All the female singers are fabulous. Renee Fleming is perfect -- beautiful voice, wonderful control. And Scarabelli is saucy, flirtatious, and utterly wonderful.

3) Solti's direction is perfect for this opera. It never, ever drags, even when some arias are taken slower than usual. The direction never becomes monotonous, and the full range of emotion in this opera is explored: Cosi starts out light and frivolous, and becomes increasingly more serious, and Solti follows through with that. The comic parts are allowed to be comic. The tragedy of the ending comes through even through the lightness of the opera.

This is truly a brilliant recording of some of the most beautiful music ever written. Treat yourself.

Sparkling and Wondrous Cosi Fan Tutte Performance!
COSI VAN TUTTE remains one of Mozart's most brilliant compositions, with more elegantly fluid arias, duets, trios, and ensembles than any one opera has a right to own! This 3 CD set is as fine as they come. Part of the reason is that the electricity of this live performance is something that somehow eludes studio recordings. Or is it just the opera, or the incredibly intelligent conducting of Sir Georg Solti, the warm Chamber Ensemble of Europe sound and responsiveness, or the cast that is still the dream cast for this particular opera? Whatever the explanation, this recording succeeds on every level. The tenderness of young lovers is sincere, the comedy is very much in evidence, and the purely vocal elements of uncommon difficulty sound simple in the hands of this cast. Renee Fleming is simply a radiant Fiordiligi, Anne Sofie von Otter sings Dorabella with such refinement and beauty of tone (has the trio 'Soave sia il vento" ever floated as beautifully as here?), Olaf Bar and Frank Lopardo fit the roles of the men suitors vocally and dramatically (and the interplay with their paramours is without peer), and the Despina of Adelina Scarabelli and the Don Alfonso of Michele Pertusi not only match the demands of their roles, they also deliver fine comic timing. This is still the reigning recording of this beloved opera (it dates back to 1996) and even if other recordings are in your library, this one belongs at the beginning of the Mozart section!