Thanks to Jonathan for this review of last week’s pop-up opera at the garlic Farm. Ed
I don’t admit to having a full grasp of the world of Opera. I used to think that Cosi Fan Tutti meant something like going on holiday, as in – warm and comfortable, needing a fan, and eating lots of ice cream. Of course that isn’t it at all.
The real meaning of the phrase is “All women are like that”, and luckily it leaves the rest unsaid. The plot relies on people being able to switch the objects of their love and fool everyone that they’re someone else by wearing different clothes. It probably wouldn’t work so well as a contemporary theme.
The whole story can be treated as a kind of farce, with two lovers betting that they can make their girlfriends fall for and marry someone else within 24 hours, and succeeding, only for everyone to reconcile at the end and presumably live happy ever after. It’s best not to think too hard about that.
Such heights of beauty
But the thing is that this plot and these characters are brought to magnificent life by the genius of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. His sublime music elevates their antics to such heights of beauty that you forget all that and just sit back in his hands.
Pop-Up Opera had a hill to climb. They were performing in the Education Centre at the Garlic Farm, surrounded by wallcharts detailing the history and benefits of garlic, with no stage or lighting, minimal props and costumes, six singers and a pianist, and a laptop.
Like having an opera performed in your living room
A hundred people were crammed in and sometimes the singers had to edge round the walls to get out of the room. But right from the first note, they had the audience completely in their hands. Their wonderful singing helped, whether solo or ensemble.
They also engaged the audience wonderfully well, inviting us to join them in the pretense and encouraging our participation. They were so close that it was almost like having an opera performed in your living room. They were also helped by the captions that were projected on the wall, informing us of the essence of the scene in a wonderfully witty way that occasionally drew roars of laughter from the audience.
To the inevitable and joyous conclusion
There was a break for a Garlic Farm speciality mezze and a drink or two, and then events in front of us were sung out to the inevitable and joyous conclusion. We went home with a satisfied smile on our faces and lots of wonderful tunes running around our heads.
If you’re not an Opera buff, this is a perfect way to enter that world, and I heartily recommend it.
I can’t wait to go back next year.
