Holland Park, London
May 31, 2018

Holland Park is a large and beautiful green place situated in Kensington, a district west of London’s West End (the theatre district). In the midst of the park was a mansion, Holland House, built in the Jacobean style in 1605 but this magnificent building was partially destroyed by bombing in 1940. In 1996, the ruins and an area of land close to the house were taken over by local opera lovers to create a venue for an open-air opera ‘house’. Twenty-two years later artistic success and sponsorship has allowed the open air seating to be enclosed in a waterproof dome, creating a large and comfortable auditorium where on this balmy evening in May a full house assembled for Così Fan Tutte.

Così Fan Tutte is referred to by some as “Mozart’s comic masterpiece” but I wonder if anyone is laughing now, for this opera seems like an exemplar for the “me-too” generation of girls. Look no further than the title to be hit in the face by its condescension and misogyny. Its complex plot can be called comic only if judged in the way that can deem much of life to be comic i.e. confused...