Love London Love Culture rounds up the reviews for the Royal Opera House’s production of Così Fan Tutte.
The Stage: *** “Making his Royal Opera debut is conductor Stefano Montanari, who leaves a mixed impression. There’s some showing off in his undeniably witty fortepiano continuo contributions, and he’s often too fast for the singers, occasionally leaving them stranded; but the orchestra is on excellent form.”
Bachtrack: **** “Stefano Montanari making his debut in the pit, driving the nimble Royal Opera orchestra along with verve and vigour while playing the most witty, eccentric and diverting fortepiano continuo I’ve heard in a long time. It alone is worth the price of admission.”
Culture Whisper: **** ” In his unexpectedly hilarious continuo playing, Montanari plays musical jokes and quirky inventions on the edgy fortepiano in the manner of a ginger tom who has discovered how your keyboard works.”
The Guardian: ** “Jan Philipp Gloger’s self-consciously theatrical staging has plenty of ideas but less clarity, and conductor Stefano Montanari skims what Mozart has to say.”
Evening Standard: **** “Among the challenging insights, there is also a sense of too many ideas crowding each other out. Only as the opera approaches its tangled ending do things truly make sense, but still Gloger can’t resist twisting the final moments to his own ends.”
Broadway World: **** “Of course, it’s all so, so gorgeous – to hear and to see – Jan Philipp Gloger’s production making a swift return to the Royal Opera House after its initial 2016 run.”
The Upcoming: **** “While some details are far-fetched, the grandeur of the opera and its overall impact make all illogicalities pale into insignificance. The unique mélange of styles does not always work, but it creates an interesting dimension.”
Così Fan Tutte continues to play at the Royal Opera House until the 16th March.