Lucy Crowe, Taylor Raven, Joshua Blue and Darwin Prakash are now on stage as part of the ENO’s production of Mozart’s Cosi fan tutte, which is now playing at the London Coliseum until February 21, 2026.
Directed by Phelim McDermott, Dinis Sousa conducts a story where things aren’t quite what they seem for two loved-up couples, who find themselves taking the ultimate relationship test.
Soprano Crowe and mezzo-soprano Raven star as sisters Fiordiligi and Dorabella, respectively, with British-American tenor Blue and Indian baritone Prakash as the sisters’ fiancés Ferrando and Guglielmo.
Singing the role of the cunning Don Alfonso, who schemes to test the lovers in his own playful game, is bass baritone Andrew Foster-Williams. Completing the cast as the maid Despina is Irish soprano Ailish Tynan.
The show transports audiences from 18th century Naples to 1950s Coney Island, where the cast of singers and the ENO Chorus will be joined by a 12-strong skills ensemble who will become the circus acts and assist Don Alfonso in his deceit. They perform a number of roles while showcasing a variety of unique talents, including sword-swallowing, acrobatics, contortion and fire-eating.
Premiering in 2014 and recently revived in 2022, it is a coproduction with New York’s Metropolitan Opera, produced in collaboration with Improbable, an improvisation-based theatre company of which McDermott is co-founder and artistic director.
Written at the height of Mozart’s musical prowess and premiered in 1790 just a year before his premature death, Così fan tutte remains a testament to the skill of one of history’s greatest composers. Initially successful but cut short by Emperor Joseph II’s death, the opera faced a century of neglect due to its perceived immorality, only gaining widespread acclaim in the 20th century, as audiences appreciated its psychological depth and satire on love, lust and loyalty.
The associate director of Così fan tutte is Peter Relton. Set design is by Tom Pye and costume design is by Laura Hopkins. Paule Constable is the lighting designer, and Gary James is the revival lighting designer. The translation is by Jeremy Sams.
Così fan tutte opens on Friday, February 6 for seven performances at the London Coliseum: February 6, 10, 11, 17 and 19 at 19.00; February 14 at 15.00 and February 21 at 13.00.
Tickets here.
Top image: The Cast of ENO’s Così fan tutte 2026 © James Glossop (image supplied)