Indre Viskontas (l) and Dana Sadava (r)
Jonathan Lynn
Pasadena Opera presents its third production, Mozart’s comedic classic Così fan tutte, directed by Jonathan Lynn (My Cousin Vinny, Clue, Yes, Minister). Performances are at the A Noise Within Theatre in Pasadena on January 27th and 28th at 8:00 pm and January 29th at 3 pm, in 2017. The fully staged production includes a 13-piece orchestra and chorus.
Lynn, having mastered the genres of film, television, and theater, directs his first opera. “It’s an exciting new adventure for me – I’m learning about opera’s quirks and traditions, and the challenge of directing characters who sing in Italian!” says Lynn. Così fan tutte is usually translated as “Women are like that”, meaning that they cheat on their men.
“I’ve always loved Così fan tutte but disliked its misogynistic undertones, ironically so relevant to America today. So I wanted to set this production in 1967, the Summer of Love and the time of women’s lib and change the emphasis so that the women are no worse than men. I think I found a way to make sense of the absurd plot and to make the audience laugh.”
Audience members will be transported to San Francisco, 1967, with the help of evocative projections designed by rising star Sheiva Khalily and colorful costumes by Emmy Award winner Jacqueline Saint Anne.
A fresh translation of Lorenzo Da Ponte’s libretto will highlight the opera’s relevance to today’s audience. Creative Director Indre Viskontas co-wrote the new text with Jonathan Lynn, whose British sitcom Yes, Minister was voted by British Members of Parliament as the best political comedy of all time.
Conductor Dana Sadava is thrilled at the chance to work on this piece. “Whether you’re in the mood for light entertainment or some of the most sublime music Mozart ever wrote, Così has it all. It is a true ensemble piece, and everyone’s part connects to make a brilliant, tuneful whole.”
Pasadena Opera was founded in 2014 by Pasadena local Dana Sadava, a graduate of Caltech’s engineering program and professional conductor, and Indre Viskontas, a neuroscientist and professional soprano. The two founders share a vision of telling great stories that trigger social change using innovative technology and the grand music of opera. Both performances of its inaugural production, Leonard Bernstein’s Candide, and its 2016 hit Susannah sold out.
A Noise Within Theater is located at 3352 E. Foothill Blvd, Pasadena.
Pasadena Opera gladly returns to the A Noise Within Theatre for its third production – a modern venue and home to Pasadena’s classically acclaimed repertory theater company. The 286-seat theater’s thrust stage, expansive backstage area and state-of-the-art technology provides tremendous opportunities for opera. For more information and tickets: www.pasadenaopera.org
