"Così fan tutte," a two-act opera composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart with a libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte, was created in 1789. It stands as a representative work of Mozart's late operatic period and is acclaimed as "a philosophical drama cloaked in comedy." The plot revolves around an absurd "test of fidelity," exploring emotional entanglements and trials between two couples, thereby revealing the fragility of love, the complexity of human nature, and societal double standards regarding morality. Unlike traditional comic operas (opera buffa) that primarily rely on arias, "Così fan tutte" extensively employs ensemble singing (e.g., duets, trios, etc.) as the main device to advance the plot and unveil psychological states. This achieves a high degree of integration between music and drama, marking a transition of comic opera towards a deeper level of artistic expression.

In 2025, a new production of "Così fan tutte" by the Shanghai Opera House, under the baton of renowned conductor and pianist Xu Zhong—who also serves as the President of the Shanghai Opera House—will debut at the 24th China Shanghai International Art Festival in a semi-staged version for the first time. This marks another attempt by the Shanghai Opera House following the critical and box office successes of "Le Nozze di Figaro" and "Don Giovanni" in presenting Mozart's operas in a semi-staged format. The Shanghai Opera House Chorus and Symphony Orchestra, alongside the festival orchestra of the China Shanghai International Art Festival, will collaborate with outstanding Chinese and international singers. The semi-staged version combines the purity of a concert performance with the live tension of theatrical expression. Through meticulous design of lighting, spatial arrangement, and character relationships, it allows the audience to focus more intently on the musical performance while simultaneously experiencing a strong dramatic atmosphere.

This new production not only continues the Shanghai Opera House's long-term research and exploration of Mozart's comic operas but also reflects its artistic pursuits in international exchange, production innovation, and local expression. As one of the key projects jointly developed by the Opera House and the Art Festival, the semi-staged presentation of "Così fan tutte" is both a contemporary interpretation of the classical opera tradition and an artistic question and emotional appeal directed towards future audiences.