On June 18, 2025, the Opéra de Lyon offered up a refreshingly original and engaging version of Cosi fan tutte that charmed with its creativity, playfulness, and clever restraint.
In Marie Eve Signeyrole’s staging, the opera takes place in an art school, where Don Alfonso becomes a professor conducting a social experiment on fidelity. The pièce maîtresse: twenty real-life couples from the audience are invited onstage, becoming both spectators and participants. And guess what? It works. Far from being a gimmick, this idea breathes constant energy into the show and brings a vivid, human presence to the stage that draws the audience in.
Some additional dialogue has been woven into the opera, but it’s done tastefully—modern, yes, but respectful of the original. The pacing is never disrupted, and the story flows effortlessly. The result is a vibrant, uplifting performance that feels lively without being overwhelming.
Vocally, the cast is impressively balanced across the board.
Tamara Banješević, as Fiordiligi, stands out with radiant high notes, a fresh vocal tone, and expressive, sensual acting.
Deepa Johnny, as Dorabella, pairs beautifully with her—a cohesive and well-matched duo.
On the men’s side, Robert Lewis makes a welcome return to Lyon as Ferrando, delivering refined phrasing and lyrical sensitivity.
The baritone Ilya Kutyukhin, as Guglielmo, also deserves praise: strong voice, solid acting, and a warm stage presence that complements his partner perfectly.
Giulia Scopelliti, as a sparkling and charismatic Despina, makes us eager to see her again next year in this house as Poppea.
Simone Del Savio as Don Alfonso brings humor, charm, and a refreshing perspective. He’s both the manipulator and the amused observer, fitting beautifully into this updated setting .
Duncan Ward conducts with finesse, keeping a sharp ear on both the vocal ensembles and the stage action. His direction is supportive, precise, and well balanced, allowing the music and story to shine as one.
To top it off, the audience was wonderfully mixed in age, clearly enjoying the ride. This production was warmly received—a Cosi that’s both daring and totally engaging. Highly recommended.
