'Words and Music', January /February 2009
Friday 28th November 2008
'Joyful Piece'
This production, sung in English, departed from its usual venue in Italy and set the work in the Napa Valley, U.S.A. The Electric Theatre is, in many ways well suited to the intimate rural village setting of this attractive production.
A change of cast meant that we saw Claire Eggington singing the testing role of Adina. She gave an excellent performance, well sung with some lovely phrasing especially in 'Prendi, per me sie libero'.
Nemorino, her opposite number, was sung by a young Italian tenor, Yuri Sabatini. His was a bright Italianate sound (no surprise) and he maintained his sympathetic characterisation throughout. He sang 'Una furtiva lagrima' with great feeling.
Richard Arundel as Sargeant Belcore had a strong voice but perhaps relied too much on army 'bull'. I felt there needed to be a little more self admiration required from this peacock. Joe St Johanser, Dr Dulcamara, portrayed a kindly quack, and managed his difficult patter songs well, but for a few verbal lapses. Lizzie Hull as Gianetta, although only a small role, acted her socks off throughout and showed her voice off to good effect.
The chorus of villagers were a little insecure at times, and so lacked the firm rhythmic drive to form the basis of the big ensembles but mostly sang tunefully and with power. Overall this was a joyful piece, and so many melodies given in a charming and enjoyable presentation.
Angela Goodall
++++++++
“L’Elisir d’amore” – by Donizetti
Guildford Opera Company
Electric Theatre: 25 – 29 November 2008
The Guildford Opera Company was in romantic mood for its latest production ‘L’Elisir d’amore’ – The Elixir of Love – at the Electric Theatre last week. So too was the appreciative Wednesday evening audience that offered the company sustained applause for six curtain calls.
In two acts Gaetano Donzetti, with librettist Felice Romani, trace the romantic aspirations of Nemorino, a peasant lad and Adina, the local heiress and vineyard owner. The shy Nemorino (on Wednesday evening played by Yuri Sabatini) finds confidence to pursue Adina after sipping a love potion from a ‘quack’ Dr Dulcamara who actually plies him with some dubious red wine.
Director Pat O’Connell took the setting from the traditional Italian countryside to California’s Napa Valley. The hint of the Wild West and the appearance of Dr Dulcamara as a ‘travelling medicine man’ added an intriguing dimension to an opera that has sometimes been described as ‘supremely sentimental.’ In stetson and frock-coat, Joe St Johanser, as Dulcamara, seized the moment and held the stage for his several appearances.
The strength of this production lay in its vocal excellence with the lead characters auditioned from professional ranks. A spirited Birgit Rohowska, who was at once haughty and then vulnerable, interpreted Adina. She beguiled her way into Act Two – teasing along the way Nemorino’s rival, the dashing Sergeant Belcore. Belcore, sung by baritone Richard Arundel, suggested the confidence of a worldly military man but who was, ultimately, no match - and not the catch - for Adina.
At times the small Electric Theatre stage accommodated all the 35 strong cast but careful positioning reduced what might have been a scrum to a practical effect. The company were in good voice and produced, under Kevin John’s musical direction, a textured performance that ranged from the lyrical through to the overtly powerful. The effect was cohesive and satisfying.
Jennie Cousins was Production Manager with Kris Benjafield in charge of costuming. The stage management was under the control of Mike Payne.
Jeff Thomson