European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - March 15, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Heidelberg City theater Elke Yandiel and Scott Mcallister in Cost fan Tutte in Heidelberg. Below Wolfgang amadeus  ahead give it a whirl by Pam Runquist staff writer the music faded and the curtain descended. I glanced at my watch and was surprised to see that More than three hours had elapsed my first opera experience a watching a performance of Mozart s cosi fan Tutte at the theater Der Stadt in Heidelberg West Germany a was Over. I was sorry to see it end. I admit that i stifled a few yawns during the performance but that was mainly due to the warm temperature in the theater and the time of Day. I confess that i had reservations about attending. I thought of operas As Stuffy affairs suitable Only for lovers of classical music culture buffs and High society types. I was t completely won Over but the show convinced me that an average movie goer and mild fan of classical music can appreciate opera. Most operas have All the dramatic elements of a first run movie passion intrigue mystery satire. Cosi fan Tutte is the Story of two engaged couples who Are challenged by a philosopher to test their Fidelity. The two men disguise themselves As albanian soldiers and their Fiancee Are eventually persuaded by these new suitors but unknowingly choose the wrong partners. In the end the suitors identities Are revealed and the original partners Are reunited. But an opera is of course much More than a drama. As one longtime opera fan in the Heidelberg audience put it Quot the Story is not the Central focus. In fact the plot of an opera often can be quite silly. The music is what is  in a Way novices have an advantage when it comes to actually listening to and enjoying the music of an opera. During the intermission at cosi fan Tutte critics gathered in the foyer and could be heard voicing several complaints Quot the Soprano missed a note Quot. Quot the conductor was a Little slow Quot. Quot the singers were  to my unexperienced ears the singers sounded perfect and the orchestra played beautifully. And whenever my ears grew tired my eyes took Over. The glittering elaborate costumes colourful makeup and magical stage settings added the final touch to a memorable experience. Attending an opera in Europe does t have to he an intimidating or difficult experience. Availability is one Bonus. Europe boasts a multitude of opera houses. In the United states opera houses Are found Only in major metropolises but opera is performed in most cities and in Many Large towns throughout West Germany and in several major cities elsewhere in Europe. Prices Are another plus. European opera tans pay less for tickets than the going rate in new York Dallas or san Francisco for instance. Tickets for cosi fan Tutte in Heidelberg ranged from 16 to 31 Marks about $10 to $19. Visions of Black ties and formal dresses should t frighten away a prospective opera goer either. Attire at the Heidelberg theater ranged from Normal evening Wear to casual skirts and pants. I even saw a Tew pairs of jeans in the crowd. My advice to first time opera goers is to do a Little preparation. Most operas in Europe will be performed in the original language of the composition or in the language of the Host country so if your foreign language skills Are limited it s a Good idea to learn something about the Story line beforehand. Cosi fan Tutte was written by Wolfgang amadeus Mozart in italian but in Heidelberg is performed in  i was fortunate to have an opera expert explain the Story and the musical highlights to me before the show. If you Don t know anyone like that visit a Library and Check out an opera Book. Most give a synopsis of the plot of big name show s and explain a Little about the intricacies of the score. A final tip make sure you re not too tired or Haven t eaten too big a meal beforehand. Opera performances Are notoriously Long. Cosi Tan lot t lasted about three and a half hours. As 1 was Elvinp even heard one opera Singer comment that the performance had Quot seemed a Little  with this Little bit of preparation Novice Oihi a goers can enjoy the music the costumes the St it and the drama of an opera a and Check Oil Ano Sample of life in Europe. Cosi fan Tutte will be performed again Al be theater Der Srp a Heidelberg on March 18. And during april. May and Juno i o information Call the theater at 06221-503520 or 5b352j 6 stripes Magazine March is 1990