Curtain call for the principals at last night’s dress rehearsal for Cosi

“Opera Up Close: The Cosi fan Tutte Preview” is now available online. Brush up your Mozart before tomorrow night by viewing the presentation here (you’ll be asked to open the file; just click OK and it will start playing in your RealPlayer).

Lorenzo da Ponte–the infamous librettist of Cosi fan Tutte, Le Nozze di Figaro, and Don Giovanni–turns 260 today! A nod to Milan-based opera blogger OperaChic for the heads-up, and I think her words are most appropriate for the occasion:

On March 10 — of the year 1749, but it doesn’t really matter because his art is still so present and his genius is still so new — Emanuele Conegliano was born, son of Rachele and Geremia, brother of Baruch and Anania, the future Lorenzo Da Ponte, Abate Da Ponte, lecherous priest, brothel owner, poet, court librettist for Mozart and Salieri, writer of that trilogy, naturalized American citizen and New Yorker (he used to call his adoptive city “Nova Iorca”, which Opera Chic finds terribly cool), impresario, Bowery grocer, Columbia University professor, memoirist, Greatest Italian Playwright Who Ever Lived (and that includes Goldoni and Pirandello).

“It’s a battle of the sexes in Mozart’s Cosi.” Lindsay Christians talks to director Kristine McIntyre and conductor Kelly Kuo for 77 Square.

“A rising star returns home.” Brava Magazine profiles soprano Mary Mackenzie.

I have not been writing nearly as much as I would like the last few weeks, but as it sometimes happens, along with Cosi being in production, a few other projects have landed at the same time (namely, it’s also the time of year when most of our grant applications are due). But here’s a fun shot of wig-fittings in our offices from last Friday morning.

Despina gets her locks.

Before rehearsal tonight, our High School Apprentices will be dining with Mary Mackenzie (pictured above) to learn about her path as a singer from Madison to New York. As someone in the early stages of her career, I think it will be a great learning experience for the high school juniors as they consider their college application choices.

Tomorrow night is the final dress for Cosi, and Friday the curtain goes up. Reports from rehearsals have been glowing, and I can’t wait to see the final product. We’re almost sold out, so I suggest clicking or calling for tickets today!