As I get older the world seems to get uglier and opera, which seemed so unengaging when I was young, seems now more attractive and essential than ever. Cosi is one of the loveliest Mozart operas, fascinating for all the well rehearsed reasons, but so often disappointing for so many reasons - singing below par (and WAM did set the bar rather high here, particularly for Fiordiligi), stagey sets with too much lace and nylon, and wooden acting.

The problem here is the modern theme of a beachside location, but the Dutch do seem to go in for this kind of thing. It has its own logic, though, and if one can ignore it and concentrate instead on the music and singing, the story and the actors, it can take one to heaven. There's very little to criticise beyond the staging ideas (well, one can always carp) but it's a very nice thing, and Sally Matthews is superb in her role. Miah Persson is another modern vocal wonder who did this opera proud; we are lucky to have such an interest in 18th century opera, the talent to perform it, and the means to make thrilling recordings.

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Mozart: Cosi Fan Tutte

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