Welsh National Opera takes you back to school with a brand-new production of Mozart’s comic opera Così fan tutte aka The School for Lovers directed by Max Hoehn (The Consul). Set in the early 1970s, four sixth formers discover that falling in love can be incredible, awkward, and complicated in this coming-of-age tale.
The students are given a valuable lesson in love, life and liberty when their teacher involves them in a secret experiment. Played out to some of Mozart’s most ravishing music, they are challenged to re-think their own identities and relationships with each other as they are confronted with a series of amusing scenarios designed to deceive.
Sung in Italian, with surtitles in English.
Find out more about the Cast and Creatives of WNO’s Così fan tutte here.
wno.org.uk/così
#WNOcosì
Price
Prices and discounts subject to changeRunning Time
Approximately 3 hours and 15 minutes including an interval
Performances
CONCESSIONS
WNO Multi-buy package
Book tickets to see Così fan tutte and Death in Venice and save 10% when booking both operas. purchasing tickets at the same time. Tickets must be purchased at the same time and are available on full price tickets in price bands A – C only.
Book tickets to see Così fan tutte, Death in Venice, Ainadamar and La traviata and save 15% when booking 3 operas, or save 20% when booking 4 operas. Tickets must be purchased at the same time and are available on full price tickets in price bands A – C only.
UNDER 16s
£5 tickets when accompanied by a full paying adult, price bands A-D
Offer not available online, please call 0844 338 5000† to book
OVER 65s
£3 off price band A, £4 off price bands B-D
Limited availability
GROUPS
Price bands A – D
8+ tickets – Save £3 per ticket
16+ tickets – Save £4 per ticket
24+ tickets – Save £5 per ticket plus 1 FREE ticket
Call our dedicated Group Sales Team on 0844 338 7000 or
email groupsales@birminghamhippodrome.com for more information and to book now!
CLICK HERE for further information on Group Bookings
EDUCATION ESTABLISHMENTS (Under 18)
Parties of 10 or more pay £17 per ticket plus 1 FREE ticket for teacher/supervising adult for every 10 booked (2 free tickets for SEN bookings), Price bands C-E.
For school bookings, please call Group Sales on 0844 338 7000* for more information and to book now!
UNWAGED, STUDENT, PASSPORT TO LEISURE AND POSTCODE STANDBY
24 hours prior to a performance, best available seats for the lowest price, maximum 2 per booker, subject to availability
CLICK HERE for further information on our Standby Rate and our On the Day Postcode Scheme for Birmingham residents living in B6, B9, B10, B11 and B21
CONCESSIONS FOR PATRONS WITH DISABILITIES
£5 off standard price tickets in all seating areas.
2-for-1 for disabled patrons who require the service/support of a companion.
CLICK HERE for more information on our Access Performances
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Discounts and Concessions are offered subject to availability at the discretion of the Information and Sales Manager. Top three price bands only, unless otherwise stated. Restrictions may apply. Only one discount per ticket may apply, unless otherwise stated. Offers are non retrospective and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Valid ID must be presented where applicable
We strive to provide access for all
For dates of audio-described, captioned or British Sign Language (BSL) interpreted performances, please see below. These vary from show to show.
If you would like to book for any accessible performance, please make sure you are signed up to our access registration scheme here. Once registered, you will be able to book seats online, see only relevant seats and information based on your needs – plus choose any relevant discounts. If you would prefer not to book online, you can speak to our friendly access advisors on 0121 689 1060.
- Audio Described: Fri 10 May, 7pm
- Touch Tour: Fri 10 May, 6pm. Touch Tours give visually impaired patrons the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the set, props and costumes. Tours must be booked in advance through Ticket Sales.
Concessions for patrons with disabilities
£5 off standard price tickets in all seating areas.
2 for 1 for disabled patrons who require the service/support of a companion.
Limited availability.
Further information
Information about our access registration scheme here
About our accessible performances here
About our accessible facilities here
Act One
At The School for Lovers, Don Alfonso is determined to educate his pupils, Ferrando and Guglielmo, on the subjects of relationships and fidelity. The boys consider their girlfriends faultless and refuse to believe they could ever be unfaithful. Don Alfonso insists that women, like human nature, cannot be trusted. He bets that he can prove his point. The boys agree to play the game by Alfonso’s rules and are confident they can win.
A little later, two sisters, Fiordiligi (Guglielmo’s girlfriend) and Dorabella (Ferrando’s girlfriend) are raving about how attractive their boyfriends are. Don Alfonso unexpectedly turns up to deliver the dreadful news that Ferrando and Guglielmo must leave immediately. The boys appear to say goodbye to Fiordiligi and Dorabella.
The dinner lady, Despina, turns up and sees how upset the girls are following their boyfriends’ departure. She gives them a lecture on male duplicity, urging them to make the most of their freedom.
Alfonso bribes Despina to help him in his plan to destroy the illusions of these young lovers. He introduces her to two young foreigners, who are in fact Guglielmo and Ferrando in disguise.
The sisters meet the new arrivals. They do not recognise their boyfriends. When the foreigners start making advances, the girls reject them. When the boys challenge Alfonso to admit defeat, he insists the game is far from over.
Fiordiligi and Dorabella reflect how quickly their lives have changed within a day. They are interrupted by the two foreigners, who have allegedly poisoned themselves. Panic ensues and Alfonso rushes for a doctor. Despina comes to the rescue, disguised as a psychic healer. Fiordiligi and Dorabella are desperate to save the boys’ lives. Once the danger has passed and they pretend to recover consciousness. Once again, Fiordiligi and Dorabella fight off their advances.
Act Two
Despina dares the sisters to be more carefree. Fiordiligi’s thoughts turn back to their original lovers. Dorabella is more inclined to take Despina’s advice. Eventually they agree to meet the strangers again – just for fun. Each has her own favourite – namely the boyfriend of the other.
The boys serenade the girls and promise to behave more respectfully. Two intimate encounters develop. The sparks fly between Dorabella and Guglielmo and one thing leads to another. On the other hand, Fiordiligi remains resistant to Ferrando. She is torn between her feelings for her departed lover and this new, attractive stranger.
Don Alfonso sees his beliefs confirmed and the boys’ naivety exposed. Guglielmo and Ferrando are emotionally drained by the whole experience. Alfonso prescribes marriage as the best remedy for the situation.
A double wedding ceremony is prepared. Fiordiligi and Dorabella are ready to marry their new lovers. Despina pretends to be a notary and issues the marriage contracts. The new couples sign them only for Don Alfonso to announce the sudden return of the girls’ former lovers.
Guglielmo and Ferrando reveal their true identities. Dorabella and Fiordiligi ask forforgiveness. The boys accept and promise not to doubt them again. Despina is furious that she fell for the boys’ disguises and became part of Alfonso’s master plan.