Opera by Doug.

By Doug English.

All women are like this. . .

Before there was Temptation Island, there was Cosi Fan Tutte.

But mama mia ... when you compare the two in terms of erotic subtlety, you hit the wall. Hands down with Mozart's romantic sit comedy, you tingle where you never thought you would ... and the last episode of TI that you saw suddenly resembles that beef tongue burrito you wished you hadn't eaten that one time in Baja ... (but holy cow parts batman, it was in fact one of the rare times you realized what tequila is really for.)

So anyway, it's back to la Cité de la Musique for a little sweetness and some love drama with our favorite bubbling kid ... MOZART.  Seats are cheap and the music is like chocolate.

Cosi Fan Tutte translated, the title would be something like 'All women are like this'.

Click here for a brief synopsis.

Then click here for concert details.

This time around ... there is no mise en scene, which means of course that the singers stand in front of the orchestra and pleasantly work through their parts.  Some theatrical interaction is sometimes possible, but limited.  I dare say that not only are the seats cheaper for this kind of performance (for obvious reasons), but the singers sometimes develop a much denser attitude concerning their personages within this kind of format, because they don't have to worry about costumes and where they should be on the stage.  I would also argue that it's easier to belt out the sound, and with more emotion, when they are closer to the orchestra.

If you're new to this kind of thing ... or not ... it's always a good idea to read the synopsis beforehand to get a feel for the story.  The principal reason being that you will probably be swept about during the performance ... and with the music, in all its playful happiness.

This non-theatrical operatic format is a bit like ordering a glass instead of the whole bottle with dinner ... not only just to see if you like it, but also because it may be just the right dose to get that lovely tingly feeling that goes beyond the music, and the all the rest, and takes us to that place where we all laugh at the goofiness and, in the same moment, marvel the mystery of human relationships.  Men and women ... isn't it just so funny how we all carry on so?

A single glass of champagne with friends after this show sounds just perfect to me. 

Of course, like always, we'll meetup at the Café de la Musique for a drinkypoo after the show ... and they do have fiz by the glass.

You can order your tickets (25 or 30 euros for assigned seating) over the Internet, which can be sent to the address of your choice free of charge.  Very easy. Remember, the earlier you reserve, the better your seat ...

Hope you can make it.  When you can, and you get it ... you will never watch Temptation Island in quite the same way ... if at all. You'll probably want to come to Expats Paris drinks meetups instead and see it all happening live ... and remember Cosi Fan Tutte ... and start laughing at how great it all is!

When:   Wednesday, September 17, 2008 at 8:00 PM

Where: 

CITE DE LA MUSIQUE

221, avenue Jean Jaures

75019 Paris