Jean-Pierre Ponnelle (1932-1988) was one of the most eminent opera
directors of the second half of the 20th century. His productions not only
graced the repertoires of opera houses in Salzburg, Milan and New York, but
also enhanced television programming with original, classical opera films
produced exclusively by Unitel. Ponnelle always bestowed particular love
and care on Mozart's operas, whether popular works such as "Die
Zauberflöte" and "Figaro," or less known works such as "La clemenza di
Tito," "Idomeneo" and "Mitridate." Ponnelle's last film project was the
Unitel production of "Così fan tutte" with the Vienna Philharmonic
Orchestra conducted by Nikolaus Harnoncourt, and featuring the
internationally acclaimed singers Edita Gruberova, Teresa Stratas, Delores
Ziegler, Ferruccio Furlanetto, Luis Lima and Paolo Montarsolo. "I prefer to
produce 'Così fan tutte', a work of great artificiality, in a film studio,
since I have a greater range of possibilities there than on stage: for me,
the camera becomes another means of expression, which supplements the
score." (Jean-Pierre Ponnelle)
"Così fan tutte" contains some of Mozart's loveliest arias and the greatest
number of ensembles in any of his operas. Although its libretto is often
said to be frivolous, it is a foil for Mozart's lucid and utterly non-
Romantic view of the sexes.
