Pittsburgh Opera’s ‘COVID fan tutte’ documents pandemic production
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With most of the performing arts world shut down by the pandemic, Pittsburgh Opera went ahead with its October production of Mozart’s “Còsi fan tutte.”
“Every time we would tell folks we were having the performance, they would ask, ‘How are you going to do it?’” said Chris Cox, the opera’s director of marketing and communications. “It occurred to us that we were doing something special and unique, and we wanted to preserve something of the process.”
That notion led to the creation of the documentary, “COVID fan tutte,” which will premiere at 7 p.m. Friday on YouTube.
The 25-minute documentary tracks the evolution of the socially distanced production, about two young soldiers who test the faithfulness of their paramours. The tweak on the opera’s original name was coined and hashtagged by stage director Crystal Manich.
The video is intended to preserve the unprecedented process of mounting an opera under pandemic restrictions, not only for the opera’s historical record, but also to provide instruction for other arts organizations, Cox said.
The documentary follows the staging process from initial preparations, through the actual performances to the aftermath. It includes photos, recorded rehearsal clips and post-production interviews with key personnel.
“The decision to make it was made well before opening night,” Cox said.
One clip includes a Zoom presentation made by Manich and music director Antony Walker, explaining how to trim a 3-hour opera down to a 90-minute run time.
The documentary also goes into detail about another commonly asked question: Would the singers be wearing masks?
They would, and — thanks to the inventiveness of costume shop manager Jason Bray — there was no hindrance to their vocal performance.
Not only did Bray design and construct multiple masks to complement the performers’ costumes, Cox said, he also fitted them with internal plastic cages, so the fabric wouldn’t be inhaled as they breathed.
“COVID fan tutte” is narrated by WQED-FM’s Anna Singer. Cox provides comments, as do Pittsburgh Opera General Director Christopher Hahn; cast members Angel Romero, Maire Therese Carmack and Yazid Gray; Managing Director Bill Powers; Director of Development Michael Braxton, and Manager of Community Engagement and IDEA Initiatives Rebekah Diaz.
The documentary will remain on YouTube indefinitely, Cox said.