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| Natalie Aroyan (Adriana Lecouvreur) - Michael Fabiano (Maurizio) in "Adriana Lecouvreur) |
Directed by
Rosetta Cucchi – Conducted by Leonardo Sini
Set Design
by Tiziano Santi – Costume Design by Claudia Pernigotti
Lighting
Design by Daniele Naidi – Choreographed by Luisa Baldinetti
Joan
Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House until 7th March.
Opening
night performance on 20th February 2023 reviewed by Bill Stephens
OAM
Opera
Australia had assembled a dream cast to perform Francesco Cilea’s “Adriana Lecouvreur”
in a lavish production co-produced with Teatro Comunale Di Bologna and Opera Oviedo.
It included superstar Albanian soprano, Ermonela Jaho, Romanian mezzo-soprano,
Carmen Topciu, American tenor, Michael Fabiano and Italian baritone, Giorgio
Caoduro,
Imagine the
collective intake of breath when Tahu Matheson took the stage on opening night to
announce that sadly, because she had developed a nasty cough, Ermonela Jaho,
was unable to perform. But before anyone could react, he quickly added that Natalie
Aroyan had been persuaded to step in and perform the demanding title role,
adding the assurance that she was across the role and the audience was in for
an exciting performance. He was not wrong.
Based on the
life of French actress Adrienne Lecouvreur the events portrayed in the opera
are largely fictional, and the libretto surely among the most confusing ever
written. Rosetta Cucchi’s concept for this production, where each of the four
acts take place in a different time
period, does little to clarify the storyline. In fact it makes it more
difficult to keep track of the various characters. However, her concept does
provide opportunity for some lovely settings, beautiful costumes and a
succession of memorable moments to highlight the beautiful melodies and
incidental music strewn through the opera which conductor Leonardo Sini celebrates
with his sensitive, detailed conducting of the Opera Australia orchestra.
The opera
opens with a bustling back-stage scene at the Comedie-francaise in 1732. Here
Adriana (Natalie Aroyan) is revealed dramatically rehearsing her lines for her
appearance as Roxanne in Racine’s “Bajazet”.
The stage manager Michonnet (Giorgio Caoduro)) is trying to pluck up the
courage to declare his love for Adriana when she reveals that she’s in love
with Maurizio (Michael Fabiano), a handsome officer who conveniently arrives to
declare his love for her. In response, Adriana gifts him a posy of violets. These
violets become the thread, and a critical component for the rest of the story.
No room for more
details of the complex plot here. Sufficient to know that Natalie Aroyan was
simply magnificent as the diva Lecouvreur. Surprisingly confident given the circumstances,
she acted with attack and confidence, delivering her declamatory opening lines
with flair then captivated with her lustrous soprano in the opera’s best-known
aria, “Lo son I’umile ancollar” (I am the humble servant of the creative
spirit).
Carmen Topciu (The Principessa) in "Adriana Lecouvreur)
Matching
her, as Adriana’s arch-enemy and rival for Maurizio’s affections, Carmen
Topciu was equally impressive both
vocally and dramatically, her darkly hued mezzo perfectly contrasting and
complimenting Aroyan’s velvety soprano. Topciu’s second act solo “Acerba volutta,
dolce tortura” during which she expresses her fears that Maurizio may be
unfaithful, was one of the vocal highlights of the evening.
Handsome and
heroic as Maurizio, the object of Adriana’s affections, Michael Fabiano thrilled
with his opening aria, “la dolcissima effigie”, fully justifying his reputation
as one of the finest tenors around. His voice too effectively contrasted with
that of Giorgio Caoduro, as the tragic Michonnet, particularly in the final act
when the dying Adriana refuses to recognise Michonnet, instead mistaking him for
Maurizio.
It was in
this stark scene that Cucchi’s concept was at its most powerful, allowing the
audience to understand Adriana’s mental confusion through the clever use of
video images.
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| Richard Anderson (The Prince) - Jane Ede (Mlle Jouvenot - Virgillio Marino (The Abbe) - Angela Hogan (Mlle Dangerville) in "Adriana Lecouvreur" |
Strong
supporting performances by Virgilio Marino (the Abbe), Richard Anderson (the
Prince), Anthony Mackey (Quinault), Adam Player (Poisson) Jane Ede (Mlle
Jouvenot), Angela Hogan (Mlle Dangerville) and the ever-reliable Opera
Australia Chorus enhanced the action. Tiziano
Santi’s settings which included a romantic candle-lit villa for Act 2; the lavish costume ball during which
aerialist Brendan Irving’s thrilling silks act, and a spectacular Loie Fuller
style dance performed by choreographer Luisa Baldinetti, all contributed significantly
to a memorable evening of truly grand opera.
.jpg)
Emlyn Knight - Louis Fontaine - Brendan Irving (aerialist) - Ashley Goh - Jessica Smithson
and the Opera Australia Chorus in "Adriana Lecouvreur".
Image of Brendan Irving by Guy Davies
All other images by Keith Saunders
This review first published in CITY NEWS on 24.02.23
