Music by
Giacomo Puccini – Libretto by Giovacchino Forzano.
Directed by
Rachel Hogan – Conducted by Leonard Weiss
Musical
Direction by Ella Luhtasaari
Albert Hall,
Canberra, March 7th and 10th 2024
Performance
on March 7th reviewed by BILL STEPHENS
Although Puccini
did not approve of “Suor Angelica” being presented as a single opera – he had
written it as part of an evening of three short opera- it was nevertheless a perfect
choice for National Opera given its goal of providing employment opportunities
for Australian Artists, particularly those in the Canberra region.
Judging by
this production, Canberra appears rich in fine female opera singers because the
singing throughout was superb.
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| Emma Mauch as Suor Angelica |
Canberra
born and based soprano, Emma Mauch, is a graduate of the West Australian
Academy of Performing Arts. She has also worked with Opera Australia. In the
title role of Suor Angelica, the nun with a mysterious background who makes two
fatal errors, she gave a haunting performance. Her acting was committed and her
singing lustrous, particularly towards the climax of the opera as she prepares
to suicide.
As La Zia Principessa,
the bearer of disastrous news, accomplished Canberra mezzo, Sonia Anfiloff, provided
the perfect protagonist. Initially imperious but then exhibiting just a flash
of humanity as she realises the price of her demands on Angelica, Anfiloff was
magnetic in the role.
 |
| Sonia Anfiloff as La Zia Principessa in National Opera's production of "Suor Angelica" |
In addition
to the demanding principal roles, “Suor Angelica” offers many smaller roles
perfect for emerging singers, and this cast took full advantage of those
opportunities. Katrina Wiseman, Teresa Wojcik, Alira Prideaux, Kirsten Anker
and Elsa Huber were standouts among the strong cast, all of whom provided
strong support, particularly during the many choral sections of the opera. It
was obvious much time an effort had been invested in perfecting these segments.
Full marks
also to the small orchestra, sensitively conducted by Leonard Weiss. Given the
intimacy of the production, it provided a charming accompaniment which allowed
the quality of the vocals to shine.
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| Leonard Weiss conducting the orchestra for National Opera's production of "Suor Angelica" |
It was an
interesting idea the take advantage of the natural light flooding into the
Albert Hall, particularly during the golden waters scenes. Utilising an
extraordinarily minimalist setting, director, Rachel Hogan, devised some lovely
moments, particularly for the processionals.
However this
is opera serio, so it was a pity that more attention was not given to details
which spoilt some of those moments.
Although the
original opera is set in the 17th century, given that La Zia Principessa
was wearing a short skirt, it’s assumed that this production is meant to be taking
place in the present, a fact borne out by the sight of traffic clearly visible
through Albert Hall windows.
Even so, it was
hard to imagine any convent where the Mother Superior would be so lax as to
allow two of her nuns to wear tan shoes. Then during the processionals, surely
she would insist that they would all clasp their hands under section of their habits
specifically for that purpose. Only two of the nuns remembered to do that, the
rest held their hands in front of them, and one even kept hers resolutely by
her side the whole opera.
The
interpolation of a scene at the beginning of the opera, in which Angelica gives
birth to her baby in the convent in the presence of all the nuns, resulted in
Angelica being the only nun not to wear stockings for the full duration of her
stay at the convent. It also took away the mystery as to why she was in the convent
in the first place.
Also the
decision to present the opera on the floor of the Albert Hall deprived many in the audience from seeing any of the action
that took place on the floor, and it is notable that nowhere in the program is
there any acknowledgement of the composer or lyricist of the opera.
Although there is much to admire about this production, if National Opera is to be recognised as a serious producer of operas, it is important that more care be taken to eliminate oversights of this nature.
Images by Peter Hislop
