HUMAN frailty, manipulation, emotional dysfunctionality – yes, Big Brother is upon us again.
Ah, but these are timeless themes, as illustrated only too well by Mozart's 200-and-odd-year-old grand opera Cosi Fan Tutte, a tragi-comic tale of human frailty, manipulation and emotional... well, you know the score.
And if you don't, copies of the score will be in the hands of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and singers from the European Opera Centre as they retell, and re-sing, Mozart's masterpiece in the suitably splendid surroundings of St George's Hall.
The hall's concert room will be the setting for three dramatised performances – on July 9, 11 and 13 – by the orchestra and voices from France, Italy, Norway and the UK.
Five hundred singers from across Europe were auditioned by the Liverpool-Hope-University-based European Opera Centre for the gig.
The talented young singers have been preparing with the help one of Britain’s most renowned concert and opera singers, Dame Felicity Lott who has been providing expert guidance to the cast during rehearsals in Liverpool and the public were able to observe one of her master classes.
Kenneth Baird, managing director of European Opera Centre said: “It is a great pleasure to welcome Dame Felicity Lott to the European Opera Centre’s home at Liverpool Hope University. I know that she will impart much to our young cast of Così fan tutte from her own experience of performing Mozart opera and from her wider experience on the operatic stage.
Dame Fliss does a masterclass
Mozart’s third and final opera is a story of love, loyalty and the battle of sexes, two young soldiers disguise their identities to test their lovers' faithfulness.
A spokeswoman for the Phil said: “This production is the fifth collaboration between the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and the Liverpool-based European Opera Centre since 2006.
“The opera features music of great beauty, from the calm before the storm of Soave sia il vento, the enchanting aria Un’aura amorosa to the heartbreaking Per pietà.
It has been described as “a sublime and sometimes startling mix of hilarious farce and poignant drama”, something they won't be saying about Big Brother.
