Mozart Opera Will Be Re-Imagined In Wimbledon

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Modern version of Cosi Fan Tutte to be performed at Merton Arts Space

An hour-long, specially adapted, version of Cosi Fan Tutte is being presented at Merton Arts Space in Wimbledon Library by Wimbledon-based Baseless Fabric Theatre.

The modern re-imagining of Mozart’s opera tells a story about love and friendship, cheating and testing the one you love, with the music re-arranged for three instruments by composer/conductor Leo Geyer, and with a new modern English libretto written by director Joanna Turner.

The cast for the June 9 performance includes baritone Philip Smith, who recently performed in Orpheus at The Royal Opera House and mezzo-soprano, Felicity Buckland, soon to make her ENO debut.

There will also be a free ‘promenade performance’ in Mitcham town centre to engage new audiences with opera, with scenes popping up in cafes, pubs and supermarkets.

The Merton Arts Space version follows Baseless Fabric’s successful collaboration there with David Mamet’s Reunion & Dark Pony last autumn.

They say it will be a great opportunity to experience an innovative re-imagining in a new immersive context and hear talented young singers and instrumentalists performing up close and personal in an unusual setting.

They also promise performances aiming to change attitudes to the art form and encourage people to realise that opera can be fun and not elitist, expensive, boring or irrelevant, as it can often be perceived.

Returning cast includes: Philip Smith (recently in Orpheus at Royal Opera House), Thomas Stoddart as Guglielmo (recent roles with Opera UpClose), Felicity Buckland as Dorabella (shortly making her ENO debut) and Simon Gfeller as Ferrando (recent roles with English Touring Opera), joined by Louisa Tee as Fiordiligi (recent roles with Opera UpClose).

Performance details:

Saturday June 9, 2.30pm, Mitcham, London Borough of Merton.

Free Promenade Street Opera starting at The Kings Arms, CR4 3HD

Tickets: Free unticketed performances.

Saturday June 9, 7.30pm, Wimbledon. An indoor immersive production.

Venue: Merton Arts Space, Compton Rd, Wimbledon, London SW19 7QA. 

Tickets £12/£10 available at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cosi-fan-tutte-tickets-45172792037?aff=website.

May 18, 2018