NAPLES

There were no explicit references to the Neapolitan setting in Mario Martone's production of Cosí Fan
Tutte at the Teatro di San Carlo (April 1). Sergio Tramonti's single set consisted of two ruffled beds at the front of the stage and catwalks around the orchestra pit, yet Pasquali Mari's lighting created atmospheres that subtly mirrored the changing moods of the characters, and the action was lucidly organized to enable the disturbing emotional undercurrents of the work to emerge with unusual clarity. Moreover, the spontaneous verbal interplay of a largely Italian cast projected infectiously -- except when they moved behind the proscenium arch, where the lack of a backdrop proved acoustically deadening. Despina's first aria suffered a little in this respect, but otherwise Daniela Mazzucato's performance was delightful, the words clearly inflected -- and hilariously distorted in disguise -- her tone clear and steady.

Neither Rossella Ragatzu's Fiordiligi nor Anna Caterina Antonacci's Dorabella was in the same class. The former sang neatly and managed some eloquent recitatives, but her diction was otherwise variable, and she proved competent rather than virtuosic in the arias. The latter seemed, as ever, too insecure vocally to dominate her music and lose herself totally in the character, though her intentions appeared valid enough, and she did nothing conspicuously wrong.

Bruce Ford traversed Ferrando's moods with characteristic assurance and sincerity, and Natale De Carolis proved an exceptionally reactive Guglielmo, his handsome baritone voice savoring every word. Best of all was Alessandro Corbelli's Don Alfonso -- a masterful performance that brought the character's eighteenth-century spirit entirely alive for the audience.

The San Carlo orchestra has little experience in this repertory, which tends to expose its weaknesses. The playing under Jonathan Darlington, however, was not unstylish in its overall effect. Textures were light, phrasing was elegant and the tempos chosen allowed the voices to give of their best.

- STEPHEN HASTINGS