comic opera

By W.A. Mozart 
Stage Director: Elly Lichenstein
Music Director: Nina Shuman 

Remember what it was like to be a teenager in love? Oh, the pain, the tragedy of it all! Mozart’s outwardly comical masterwork reminds us that our most cherished relationships can often be fragile and tenuous. Through the use of subterfuge, dubious allies and hidden identities, the fidelity of two young sisters is tested by their fiancés with a rather surprising outcome.

Featuring Lara Bruckmann, Julia Ulehla, Valentina Osinski, Will Hart Meyer, Anders Froelich and William Neely

Reviewed by Dan Taylor, Press Democrat, March 9, 2008

Cinnabar's 'Cosí Fan Tutte' a night of rollicking comedy, well-sung arias

Mozart's "Cosí Fan Tutte," packed with just as much slapstick, highjinks and mistaken identity as any screwball comedy, combines beautiful music with easily accessible entertainment....Skilled singers, backed by a relatively small but powerful orchestra, show a flair for comic acting that makes the current Cinnabar Theater production a clear success.

The four romantic leads -- Anders Froelich and Will Hart Meyer as our heroes, Guglielmo and Ferrando, and Lara Bruckmann and Julia Ulehla as giggling sisters Fiordiligi and Dorabella -- all act ably and sing beautifully.

Cinnabar's "Cosí" offers a rare chance to enjoy lowbrow comedy and high-class music at the same time. Read more here...

Reviewed by David Kashimba,

Don Alfonso, being a wealthy older gentleman always in search of a few laughs, proposes a wager with the young men to prove he’s right about women. [That they cannot be faithful]

Guglielmo and Ferrando accept and an elaborate scheme is launched, with the help of Despina (Valentina Osinski), to tempt the young ladies into infidelity. The grand scheme proves to be a barrel full of laughs not only for Don Alfonso but also for the entire audience.

Add to this the musical richness of an entire cast of great voices and a talented orchestra conducted by Nina Shuman and you have a wonderful night of entertainment that touches the audience on many levels.

No need to drive to San Francisco when you have such professional opera being performed right here in beautiful Sonoma County. Read more here...

Argus Courier, By YOVANNA BIEBERICH, Thursday, February 21, 2008

The agony of young love
Mozart’s opera ‘Cosi Fan Tutte’ opens Feb. 29 at Cinnabar Theater

“Here’s the beauty of this cast: they sing like angels, negotiating this incredibly difficult score with beauty and ease, and yet they are all serious actors as well,” said Lichenstein. “So, it’s the consummate operatic experience. And that’s what’s so magnificent about opera: when done with all the pieces — a great score and libretto, great singing, great acting, great design and movement, and let’s not forget a great orchestra — it’s the one performing art form that marries all the disciplines to make one great work of art.” Read more here...

All the pictures and hi-res are available here...

Photos by Jeff and Celeste Thomas

All the pictures and hi-res are available here...

Performance Dates

Ticket Prices
$35 General Admission/$32 seniors (62+) and students

Optional add-ons
Feb 29 Post-show opening night
gala

Mar 9 Cinna-Brunch 12:30 pm at Jacqueline’s High Tea, show at 3 pm.
See the Cinnadinner website for more information

Mar 19 Cinna-Dinner 5:00 pm at Jacqueline’s High Tea, show at 7:30 pm.
See the Cinnadinner website for more information