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Mozart: Cosi Fan Tutte (ed. Ian Woodfield) on CD

A Così reinvented! "In his book on Così fan tutte, Ian Woodfield analyzes the pragmatism with which Mozart approached the composition. I am convinced by the argument that Mozart and Da Ponte planned the opera without the amorous crossover during much of the compositional process. We certainly do not claim that this interpretation should be the norm, but we think it is worthwhile to put this alternative version in the public domain. After all, in the usual version for me, inconsistencies remain.

Studies of Mozart's Così fan tutte manuscript by Ian Woodfield reveal that the composer was undecided whether to 'cross' the lovers or keep them uncrossed. Key passages are altered often to startling effect - Ferrando opens the opera singing ''La mia Fiordiligi'' and not the usual ''la mia Dorabella.'' Phrases such as ''Rivolgete à lui lo sguardo'' (Turn your gaze upon him) appear in Mozart's own catalogue as ''Rivolgete a me'' (Turn your gaze to me), and although ''lui'' is in another hand, Mozart had left blank spaces to be filled in later - an indication of his indecision about the pairings. This brilliant aria, cut from the final version is restored in this performance from the European Opera Centre. The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic under the direction of Laurent Pillot give us a fascinating realization of this interpretation of Mozart's first thoughts.