Mozart opera comes to life in Festival Amadeus finale

Experience a “Night at the Opera” at the finale weekend of Festival Amadeus when Mozart’s Così fan tutte will be staged “in concert” over two nights on Aug. 10 and 11 at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m.

The romantic comedy features a cast of six young opera professionals, dressed in 18th Century period costumes, and designed especially for them by Lonnie Porro and team from Whitefish Theatre Company. The Festival Amadeus orchestra will be center stage with the singers moving around and through them carrying the storyline augmented by colorful projections and English subtitles.

Festival director and conductor John Zoltek, says that Mozart’s Così fan tutte is a masterful example of how making a wager about the fickleness of women and love can get one in trouble. “Women are like that” is the literal translation of the Italian opera’s title and Mozart skillfully brings his characters alive like no other composer before him.

“In addition to its comic elements Cosi is a truly beautiful work in which Mozart musically explores the deepest of human emotions and foibles. This is Mozart at his creative peak, a masterful combination of music, drama and the vulnerability of human relationships — it’s nothing short of completely divine,” says Zoltek.

Così is considered to be one of Mozart’s greatest comic operas. Premiering in 1790 it’s subject and libretto was considered risqué and ribald. Set in Naples, the story features the love exploits of sisters Fiordiligi and Dorabella, their two soldier suitors Guglielmo and Ferrando, the plotting philosopher Don Alfonso and the worldly maid Despina. It becomes a frolicking tale of seduction, deception and forgiveness.

Returning for a second time in a Festival Amadeus live opera in concert is soprano, Hanna Brammer Dillon, who last appeared in the Magic Flute. She is a sought-after talent within the opera world who regularly performs with Sarasota Opera, Mississippi Opera and the Salt Marsh Opera. She sings the role of Firodiligi.

Also returning is tenor Andrew Surrena, who sings the soldier, Ferrando. Surrena regularly performs in operas, concerts, and new works with companies across the country including the Fort Worth Opera, Sarasota Opera and the Chautauqua Opera.

Amy Logan will make her debut with the Festival Amadeus Orchestra. A Director of choirs in Great Falls, she will sing the role of the deceptive Despina.

Anna Laurenzo sings the role of Dorabella. A mezzo-soprano, Laurenzo is a veteran of multiple world premiere productions and awards.

Baritone, Alexander Boyd will sing Guglielmo. As a youth he was a classically trained cellist, but moved over to opera as a teenager and has garnered numerous awards in vocal competitions.

Benjamin Sieverding, sings the role of Don Alfonso, the character who inspires the seduction of “The School for Lovers.” Sieverding’s extensive resumè includes a finalist in the Metropolitan Opera National Competition and numerous opera company productions.

For information, visit www.glaciersymphony.org or call the GS box office at 406-407-7000.