<<<  <<  -- 3 --  Maria Nockin    A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE

All the principals embellished their parts. Special kudos go to the strong Fiordiligi, Susanna Phillips, for accurate, well supported coloratura and to the self-assured Guglielmo, Mark Stone, who gave a fine rendition of a first act aria that is almost always cut because of its difficulty. Tall, handsome tenor Norman Reinhardt was a persuasive suitor and an amusing 'Albanian', who sang with well focused tones that tightened up a bit at the top of his range. Chic mezzo-soprano, Katharine Goeldner, was a perky Dorabella with a rather dramatic voice.

The characters who held this plot together, however, were the all knowing, mature Despina, Suzanne Mentzer, and the instigator of all the fun, Don Alfonso, sung by Dale Travis. Mentzer sang sweetly when not interpreting a comic character, thus providing some interesting vocal contrasts. An excellent singing actor, Travis sang with a rich sound while providing the base on which the comedy rested. Conductor William Lacey was, of course, behind the embellished vocal parts and he gave this audience a most interesting performance. His orchestra played with infectious verve and captured the soul of the score.

On Monday, the performance of La bohème had everyone in tears at the end, but on Tuesday Cosi fan tutte had many smiling throughout and wondering at the inconclusive modern ending.