Sunday Brunch – Cosi Fan Tutte: Ah Guarda Sorella

Throughout Act 1, Dorabella and Fiordiligi carry around matching journals. They sketch, scribble, and keep important thoughts in these books.

These two sisters are feisty and ready for fun and are certainly not wallflowers (They are ready for “fun”, too.) Malin Hartelius and Anna Bonatatibus offer sisters who seem a bit more worldly wise than the average Cosi girls. At the same time they’re ready to commit to their men. Or are they?

This is from the Zurich production directed by Sven-Eric Bechtolf. I think it's the most (if not the only) successful of his three Mozart/da Ponte stagings.

In the second half of this duet, Fiordiligi and Dorabella are confident and determined as they sing of their fidelity. But at the very end of the duet, they glance down and notice they are each carrying the other’s journal. For some reason, this doesn't seem to rattle them too much.

Malin Hartelius and Anna Bonatatibus give these sisters a real sparkle, both vocally and dramatically. Dorabella is sillier, but Fiordiligi has her moments too. Their voices are similar enough to blend beautifully, and just different enough for the listener can tell them apart. I think they add a few extra ornaments, too. Lovely!