This double bill of single act operas performed by Opera North last night Nottingham Theatre Royal was magnificent really outstanding.
An evening filled with passionate drama set in locations and times the audience could better relate to, ‘stripped down to basics’ for the first melodrama Cavalleria Rusticana the setting is 1970’s pre solidarity Poland where life was austere and the church formed a respite from the daily challenges as Karolina Sofulak the director said ‘Truth on stage’ it worked incredibly well, a ‘Ken Loach opera’.
Its Easter Sunday after mass, the full chorus singing of the Easter Hymn was incredibly powerful it hits the audience full throttle. Santuzza handing out the fresh bread from Lucia’s empty shop and the bottles of wine being passed around the chorus was a great scene and the significance would not of been lost on the audience.
Giselle Allen acting performance as Santuzza throughout was sublime and her voice was incredible definitely the star of this one act crime of passion opera.
The orchestra did Pietro Mascagni masterpiece complete justice.
After the Interval it was time for Aleko.
Aleko’s staging was a full of colour, movement and small touches of a bohemian society with no hang ups. Yet here too we have the jealousy that results in crimes of passion ,theres no running away from fate.
The performance by Elin Pritchard as Zemfira in the concluding scene, is perhaps worth going to this night of operatic crimes of passion alone. Yes a very good night out.
The full house enjoyed some powerful performances but it was I think the chorus that stole the show.
Showing again on 8 March 2024, get your tickets here.
Review by Ann Taylor
Comments Closed