for adults only

premiere 6 July 2005
music director Agnieszka Nagórka
director Grzegorz Jarzyna
scenography Stephanie Nelson
stage movement Paweł Mikołajczyk
lighting director Felice Ross

duration: 2 h 25 min., 1 intermission

Così fan tutte or The School for Lovers (Così fan tutte ossia la Scuola degli Amanti) is a brilliant opera written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart to an equally outstanding libretto by Lorenzo da Ponte. Contrary to what it may seem, the 18th century story appeals to the contemporary viewer thanks to Stephen Frears’ film version of Dangerous Liaisons, a novel by the Enlightenment writer Pierre Choderlos de Laclos, similar in plot and genre to Mozart’s opera work. Intrigues, a test of fidelity, endearments – all sorts of tricks to seduce beautiful women who are not always very reluctant to succumb to the ardent attentions of their suitors... the classicist world of Mozart, da Ponte and de Laclos was recreated faithfully in Frears’ film. In Cruel Intentions, another film interpretation of de Laclos’ novel, director Roger Kumble transposed the debauched games of French aristocracy to the reality of wealthy American teenagers in the 20th century.

What about Grzegorz Jarzyna’s vision? He also gave up face powder, lace and wigs – making a bold and risky attempt to transform the opera classic into a contemporary interpretation. Jarzyna’s Così fan tutte is filled with sex and eroticism underlain by deep feelings, passion and subtle appeal of the young protagonists’ love. The director’s vision is complemented by scenography prepared by Stephanie Nelson, an American scenic designer who approached the central theme of the work in a daring and highly symbolic way.