Orchestral manoeuvres in the park: Garsington Opera

Garsington Opera's annual summer season is now under way, with nightly performances in the spectacular pavilion in the grounds of the Wormsley country estate, near High Wycombe.

This year's programme features masterpieces by four great composers: Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin, brought to life by director Michael Boyd and conductor Douglas Boyd; Rossini's L'italiana in Algeri, directed by Will Tuckett and conducted by David Parry; Mozart's Idomeneo, directed by Tim Albery and conducted by Tobias Ringborg; plus - in collaboration with Rambert - a chance to see Haydn's The Creation illuminated through dance.

To whet your appetite, here's a closer look at one of last season's highlights - John Fulljames’s contemporary production of Mozart's Così fan tutte - with a selection of clips. Garsington's 2016 season runs from 3 June - 17 July.

Così fan tutte is a bittersweet comedy in which people face real and painful predicaments. Mozart’s captivating music reveals the characters, humour and passion dealing intimately with the ambiguities, perplexities and joys of life.

Two young soldiers allow themselves to be drawn into the intrigues of their cynical friend Don Alfonso, who persuades them to put the love of their fiancées to the test, without realising the potential consequences.

ACT ONE

Two soldiers, Guglielmo and Ferrando, boast about the constancy of the two sisters with whom they are in love.

Their mutual friend, Don Alfonso, challenges this, saying that a faithful woman is as rare as the Arabian phoenix – and bets them that he can prove his theory.

The sisters, Fiordiligi and Dorabella, are led to believe that their fiancés have been called up to fight and pray that the winds will be gentle on their journey.

In their “absence”, Alfonso enlists the help of Despina to join him in introducing the sisters to a couple of friends of his. She agrees to persuade the girls to indulge in a little harmless flirtation.

Don Alfonso’s friends are none other than Guglielmo and Ferrando in disguise. Fiordiligi and Dorabella vehemently reject their advances. Despina comes up with a plan. The men must pretend to attempt suicide in despair at having been rejected. She will enlist the girls’ assistance in nursing them back to health.

ACT TWO

As Despina explains her own way of dealing with men, Dorabella suggests that perhaps there would be no harm in amusing themselves with the two strangers. Ferrando and Guglielmo arrange an entertainment for the sisters. All four are encouraged by Despina and Don Alfonso.

Dorabella soon succumbs to Guglielmo but Fiordiligi holds out against Ferrando, while admitting to herself that she has fallen in love with him.

She decides to join Guglielmo on the battlefield. Ferrando renews his efforts and Fiordiligi finally capitulates, as Guglielmo watches helplessly.

Don Alfonso advises them not to judge the women too harshly.

Despina and Alfonso make arrangements for a double wedding. The contracts are about to be signed when the soldiers unexpectedly “return”.

The women are dismayed by the extent of their deception. Only Alfonso remains unsurprised.

Clips recorded live at Garsington Opera, 25 June 2015. © Garsington Opera, all rights reserved.