From a media release:
Artisti Affamati (Starving Artists of Chattanooga) are proud to announce their upcoming production of Mozart's "Cosi Fan Tutte." The grassroots opera company has a two season history of performing unusual works in unusual place and is excited to be presenting a mainstream opera in a traditional setting at the beginning of this new year.
The work is sponsored in part by the Chattanooga State Music and Theatre Departments. The Dean of Humanities and Fine Arts, Darrin Hassevoort said "Having this production on our campus provides an opportunity for our students, faculty, staff and the Chattanooga community to experience live opera in an intimate setting. In addition, many of our own faculty and staff members are involved in this production."
The cast includes many familiar professional Chattanooga voices including Christine Hassevoort, Sara Snider Schone, Beth DuRoy, Jason Canter, Aaron Murphy, and Brett Hyberger. When asked about his involvement Brett answered "The main reason I am excited to be involved in this cast is... well, the cast! I took a look at the roster, and I just had to be a part of it. Not only are we all accomplished singers perfect for the role we are performing, but we are friends and colleagues that have performed together in some form or fashion in the area. When this happens, it's a pleasure to come together and work on a project that we all enjoy."
The work itself is delightful. Mozart begins the opera with two friends boasting about the fidelity and beauty of their lovers, sisters Fiordiligi and Dorabella. Their older friend Don Alfonso mocks their naiveté and challenges them to test the loyalty of their ladies. The boys pretend to be called off to war and then return to the house in disguise to woo the other one's lover in a scheme hatched by Don Alfonso and carried out by the housemaid Despina. The antics don't stop until the end when the girls... well, you'll have to come to the show to see how it all ends up! While you watch the comedy you'll be hearing some truly magnificent music. Leading lady Christine Hassevoort feels that "Cosi Fan Tutte contains some of the most beautiful ensemble music in the entire opera repertoire (and it has wonderful arias as well!). Mozart was a master of expressing deep emotional moments as well as humorous ones--you'll find plenty of both in this show."
The mission of Artisti Affamati is twofold: To keep opera alive in Chattanooga, and to make it accessible to those who may not have had opportunity to enjoy it. While this show is far more traditional than their other productions, it still keeps the goals of the group at the forefront. It is being staged, performed, and sung in a traditional manner but with two concessions made in the name of accessibility. Artistic Director Sara Snider Schone said "The performance will be partly in English and partly in Italian. The arias, or songs, will be sung in the native Italian with projected supertitle translations, while the recitative, or 'speaking' parts will be done in english. This allows the audience to know what's going on at all times regardless of language." There is also no admission being charged for this show. Anyone who has the desire to see an opera can do so without worrying about money.
Donations will be taken at the door and Artisti Affamati encourages folks to donate what the show is worth to them and they are counting on their Causeway Campaign to cover production costs. Donations to Causeway be made through Jan 15th at www.causeway.org/causes/buildchattopera and all donors will be listed in the program as sponsors of the show.
Performances will be January 22nd and 24th at Chattanooga State at 7 pm inside the Humanities and Fine Arts Building. For more information or to get involved please contact artistiaffamati@gmail.com or visit the website www.artistiaffamati.com