Review of the Opera “Cosi Fan Tutte” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was a well-renounced composer who created string operas, concerts, symphonies, and sonatas. His opera “Cosi Fan Tutte” was first performed in Vienna, Austria, on January 26, 1790. The plot of this opera is comedic, and the structure is divided into two parts. It incorporates different types of voices accompanied by an orchestra. Moreover, the 1992 performance in France also included baroque costumes. “Cosi Fan Tutte” is one of Mozart’s best-known creations, which features excellent composition and a comedic plot.
The plot of “Cosi Fan Tutte” explores a bet among two men. The first character is Don Alfonso, who is older and more cynical, and who challenges his younger counterpart Fernando. The latter is a young man who is still naïve, which is why he accepts Alfonso’s challenge. The third character is Guglielmo, who is also a young, charismatic, and quick-thinking male. The point of the bet is to prove that the girlfriends of the two men, Fiordiligi and Dorabella, are faithful. The first woman is portrayed as sincere and passionate, while the second is impulsive and inconsistent.
The overture of the opera begins with a melancholic melody, which becomes cheerful in a few seconds. The overall duration of this part is short, and it features woodwinds and string instruments. This combination fits together perfectly and creates a harmony of sound. Additionally, Mozart incorporated the oboe, which helps create a gloomy atmosphere during intense moments of the opera. In contrast, the flute establishes a sense of love and romance.
The strings incorporate different vocal ranges from the higher to the deeper lower ones. For example, the violin is the soprano, the viola is the alto, the cello is the tenor, and the bass is the bass. Mozart included the string solo in this opera, and the part dedicated to the violin stands out the most. It has the highest vocal range and is used during the melancholic moments of the opera, but only briefly. These combinations of instruments and ranges help bring together the sad and funny moments throughout this opera, which intervene as the plot develops
The first act begins with Don Alfonso’s baritone voice with warm tones, and the viewer also sees the rest of the trio. In contrast, Fernando possesses a tenor voice, which allows him to rich the highest notes out of the three men. Guglielmo also has a baritone with distinct dark qualities in the tone. Don Alfonso marks the beginning of the hilarious, daring, and entertaining opera by making a bet with his younger friends Ferrando and Guglielmo.
The plot of this opera depicts Don Alfonso, who wants to prove to his younger friends that the latter’s fiancés, whose names are Fiordiligi and Dorabella, are not faithful because the latter behave just as other women do. Fernando and Guglielmo agree to this bet and pretend to be called off to war before their future wives. Here, the viewer is introduced to Fiordiligi’s operatic soprano, and she has a strong and flexible voice. Dorabella, on the other hand, has a strong operatic soprano, with a strong, rich yet warn voice. The two women use their distinct tones to show sadness because of their lovers’ departure.
Another character is Despina, who works as a maid and has a mezzo-soprano characterized by richness and deepness, which is lower in register when compared to a soprano. Despina and Don Alfonso together recommend the young women find new lovers. After that, a scene where the young men return in disguise, pretending to be Albanese, follows. They plan to seduce each other’s finances as part of their bet with Don Alfonso. Despite the attempts of Ferrando and Gugielermo, the young women do not give in and do not respond to their signs of attention.
The two brothers try to convince the sisters by stating that they would poison themselves if the latter refuse their proposals. They pretend to drink a fake poison and make it look as if they passed out. Despina, who acts as a doctor in disguise in this scene, pretends to revive them. This scene is absurd and would be impossible in real life, but it suits the comedic nature of this opera. This absurd scene, however, is entertaining for the viewer, as is the funny plot of this story.
From the moment of the brothers’ revival, the opera proceeds to the second act. Here, the storyline becomes more complicated because the sisters are persuaded by the fake poisoning and agree to be courted, thinking that it will not harm them. They still, however, plan to wait for their fiancés’ return from the war. Dorabella is courted with Guglielmo, while her sister is paired with his brother. With this act, Don Alfonso wins the bet because he has proven the disloyalty of these women. He sings about the two women being the same as others and argues that this was a good lesson for them.
While the two sisters prepare to marry the Albanians, their finances return from the war. The latter are dressed as half Albanians and half officers, which prompts the sisters to realize that they were deceived. Despite this, Ferrando and Guglielmo decide to forget the indiscretion of their loved ones, and the two couples get married. The ending of this opera exposes the nature of real-life couples, as they are not perfect. Hence, “Cosi Fan Tutte” shows that the classical era’s depiction of love and marriage is imperfect while exposing some cynicism that exists in relationships.
Throughout this story, the viewer is exposed to the orchestra, which accompanies both the happy, comedic, and sad moments and fits perfectly with the storyline. The orchestra allows one to hear and comprehend the contrast of this story perfectly. Moreover, this is supported by the character’s performance, who not only sing well but also suit their roles perfectly since they act out the dramatic and comedic parts realistically. One of Mozart’s greatest achievements in creating an opera is his ability to create a cohesive dialog, and when the characters sing, it is perceived as if they were talking to each other. This quality makes this story more fluid and easy to understand for the people watching and listening to the opera.
Review of “Legally Blond, the Musical”
“Legally Blond, the Musical” is a performance of a well-known film with the same title. It is a cheerful and entertaining piece, divided into two acts. The music was written by Laurence O’Keefe, and the lyrics are by Nell Benjamin. The plot is based on the book and novel titled “Legally Blond” by Heather Hatch and Amanda Brown, respectively. “Legally Blond, the Musical” is a combination of a shrouded romance mixed with humor. This musical is a story about Elle Woods, a sorority member who is accepted to Harvard. Elle decided to pursue Harvard to win back her ex-boyfriend Warner. Throughout her studies, she realizes that law is her passion, and she wants to pursue it seriously.
Throughout this musical, only a handful of characters believe in Elle. However, towards the end, she proves that she is intelligent and capable while retaining her essence and distinct character traits. “Legally Blond” also offers the viewers excellent voices of its performers, which are accompanied by tasteful background music, excellent dancing, the masterful performance of actors, and a colorful setting.
“Legally Blond, the Musical” begins cheerfully, creating an enthusiastic atmosphere. The first setting is Delta Nu’s sorority, where girls are seen performing in synchrony. They stand in their windows collecting signatures for Elle. The girls appear to want to congratulate Elle because they think that her boyfriend Warner is going to propose. Elle is depicted as a sweet and fashion-loving girl, while Warner is shown as a materialistic and selfish man with good looks. Warner is supposed to take Elle out for a date night, which is when the supposed proposal should happen.
The sorority members try to deliver the letter with signatures to Elle, but they cannot find her in her room. They ask her chihuahua about Elle’s whereabouts, and it replies by barking and stating that she needs an outfit for the date. This scene is a demonstration of the musical’s fun and cute nature. Next, Elle is seen trying out different dresses, and she sings while talking to the audience. The sorority members finally find her, and they all go out shopping to find a perfect dress for Elle.
During the next scene, Elle is seen at first covered by the girls, and then she comes out in a new outfit, which is an innovative way of showing the storyline. After this, Warner arrives at the sorority’s house, he and Elle kiss and go to dinner. At the dinner table, Warner signs in a low voice, supporting the serious nature of their conversation as he breaks Elle’s heart. The sorority members attempt to cheer Elle, but she remains sad. After this scene, Elle decided to study law at Harvard to be close to Warner.
During the next scene, all girls are seen singing cheerfully as they celebrate Elle being accepted to Harvard. The scene is lively due to the signing and cheerful dancing, and the performers use both high and low pitches. Elle signs a hip-hop song while boys enter the scene, which makes the music bailable. Next, both the girls and boys sing and dance, and they are accompanied by the sounds of a trumpet.
As Elle enters Harvard, she is introduced to her classmates, including Emmet, with a warm and powerful voice, who sing to one another without synchrony. During class, the teacher signs and talks, asking the students ridiculous questions. During these scenes, the background music changes from lower to higher tones. Next, Elle is introduced to Warner’s new girlfriend Vivien, a smart and serious character who sings with huge belts. This upsets Elle, and she goes to a salon where she meets Paulette, who sings in a warm, agile, and sweet voice and convinces Elle that she does not need to be a brunette.
Next, Vivien lies to Elle and invites her to a party, saying that it is Elle who needs to wear a costume. There Warner tells Elle that she will never get an internship at a law firm. However, the musical proceeds to show Elle gets an internship, and Warner proposes to Vivien. Elle begins to sing in a sad tone, but Emmet touches her shoulder, and the melody becomes cheerful and uplifting. In the end, she wins a murder trial for Brook and refuses to marry Warner.