The Challenges and Limitations of Adapting Mozart\u27s Così fan tutte for a Small University Setting

In this dissertation, challenges and limitations related to presenting Così fan tutte within a small university setting are conveyed, as well as offering innovative ideas to create a manageable presentation. I recall my personal experience as Korepititor/Vocal Coach for The University of Southern Mississippi’s 2014 production of Mozart’s Così fan tutte. This document presents topics on the various workings of an opera production: pre-rehearsal preparation, language issues, rehearsal preparation, selection of singers, and production issues. It offers practical solutions to overcome various challenges a small university may encounter. Smaller university opera programs were surveyed regarding their adaptations of Così fan tutte. General research is available for all of Mozart’s operas, even more so for the Mozart-Da Ponte collaborations. However, significantly less research exists pertaining to the adaptation of his operas, specifically Così fan tutte, for production in a small university setting. Many challenges will arise in an operatic production, for any setting, small or large. However, it is my opinion, that the notion that an opera should not be produced because of its difficulty should be discarded. There is always a practical way to make a production successful, given hard work and creative thinking