Cosi fan tutte

What a fine production we saw at PSU last night! I've never enjoyed a comic opera so much. The difference here was the absolutely brilliant directing of visiting professor Tito Copobianco, who was the founding director of the Opera Center at Juilliard in 1968. This old master really knows his stuff! Each scene opened with a wonderfully comic and/or satiric stage picture, the action was played broadly as farce, the smallest details (body language, gestures, props) added to the overall humor -- the best directing of a theatrical production I've seen since Ghita Hager directed my hyperdrama Chateau de Mort in the Pittock Mansion over 20 years ago. Just first class.

Of course, the performers were students, some better than others, some with voices too weak to go far professionally, but the acting of everyone was at a high level, thanks to the directing. Enjoyed the hell out of this!

clipped from www.pdx.edu Opera at PSU Portland State University has a 30 year tradition of opera productions. It is the only university in the state that produces a full opera with orchestra each year. Recent productions of The Marriage of Figaro (1999) and Don Giovanni (2002) received first place awards in the National Opera Association Production Competition. Internationally recognized artists such as Marilyn Horne, Sherrill Milnes, Martina Arroyo, Maestro Stephen Crawford and Director Tito Capobianco come to Portland State University each year through the Jeannine B. Cowles Distinguished Professorship to share their expert knowledge and understanding with the students as they prepare the opera. Operas are chosen that best represent the talents and skills of Portland State University students. The operas are double cast whenever possible to provide more students with an opera performance experience.