ENO Cosi fan tutte: Review

There is much to admire in this semi-staged version of Mozart’s Cosi Fan Tutte by English National Opera at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall.

Indeed, if we didn’t know the same performers had recently opened a much more lavish, circus-themed staging at London’s Coliseum Theatre it wouldn’t feel like Manchester was getting second best in this dual-centre partnership.

That is something for the company to consider if it wants Manchester audiences to warm to it before ENO sets up a permanent base here in 2029.

That said, if we are going to believe two women don’t recognise their fiancés because they’re wearing different jackets and false moustaches, we don’t need fancy staging to be drawn into this farcical world.

Ruth Knight’s semi-staging puts ENO’s orchestra, so central to the enjoyment of the production, in clear view rather than hidden in the pit. Conductor Alexander Joel leads the orchestra from the same level as the singers, with ENO’s chorus coming in and out of the choir circle above, rather than joining the singers on the stage.

 It is performed in English with surtitles above the stage and the flimsy, comical story makes it easy to follow and accessible for audiences new to the genre.

The title Cosi fan tutte (women are all the same) is problematic if taken seriously. However, this 18^th century satire on love, lust and young romance is so extreme and preposterous that it pricks any bubble of seriousness or pomposity we might feel. There is also a flip at the end with tutte becoming tutti – so the men are equally satarised, if not more so, when they realise they’re not as in control of their childish scheming as they first thought.

Leaving us in no doubt of the tongue-in-cheek mischief in which we are to view this story is Irish soprano, Ailish Tynan, a whirlwind of energy as chambermaid Despina. Singing in a range of accents including her native Irish and broad Texan, her comic timing is impeccable and serves to add light to the darker meddling of Don Alfonso (Wigan-born bass baritone Andrew Foster-Williams).

The two naïve couples are sung by soprano Lucy Crowe and mezzo-soprano Taylor Raven as sisters Fiordiligi and Dorabella, British-American tenor, Joshua Blue as Ferrando and Indian baritone Darwin Prakash as Guglielmo. All singers are outstanding talents, with Crowe especially delighting the audience with the pureness of her vocals performing aria ‘per pieta’ from the choir seats above the orchestra.

In all, it is a world of silly escapism with world class singers and orchestra that doesn’t need to be juggled with circus tricks to keep us entertained.

Cosi Fan Tutte is at the Bridgewater Hall on 27 and 28 February 2026.

Under 21s can get free opera tickets to all ENO performances at the London Coliseum and at partnering venues in Greater Manchester.

Feature image: Lucy Crowe, Ailish Tynan, Taylor Raven, ENO’s Cosi fan tutte 2026, The Bridgewater Hall © Matthew Johnson Photographer