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Misha Kiria, baritone (Don Pasquale); Simone Osborne, soprano (Norina); Santiago Ballerini, tenor (Ernesto); Joshua Hopkins, baritone (Dr. Malatesta); Alex Halliday, bass-baritone (Notary) / Canadian Opera Firm Orchestra and Refrain, Jacques Lacombe, conductor. 4 Seasons Centre, April 26, 2024; continues to Could 18. Tickets right here.
Final staged by the Canadian Opera Firm a protracted thirty years in the past — in November 1994 on the Elgin Theatre to be precise — Donizetti’s comedian gem, Don Pasquale, returns to the COC stage in a comic book strip-like manufacturing that originated from the Scottish Opera. Primarily based on the enthusiastic response from the complete home on opening evening, the COC has hit the jackpot with this present.
A fast little bit of analysis reveals some startling statistics. Don Pasquale ranks an incredible thirty first worldwide in recognition, as measured by the variety of performances, at 4,150, in 936 productions since 1996. Even with these spectacular numbers, it ranks solely third amongst Donizetti operas, after L’elisir d’amore and Lucia di Lammermoor, an actual testomony to the recognition of this composer.
Don Pasquale is your archetypal commedia dell’arte, a style a lot in favour within the 18th century. There are solely 4 principal characters, a small solid by operatic requirements, specifically the previous and crusty curmudgeon Pasquale, the gorgeous and good Norina, the love-sick Ernesto, and the scheming Dr. Malatesta. Solely two hours lengthy and with an amusing plot, this present has loads of humorous moments and catchy tunes that may let everybody go residence completely happy.
The Scottish Opera manufacturing is the creation of the French-Canadian group of Andre Barbe and Renaud Doucet. The present is replete with cartoon-like projections — with a particular nod to cat lovers — which successfully units the tone for zaniness galore on the “Pensione Pasquale,” the place the motion takes place in Sixties Rome. Barbe and Doucet have created an actual motley crew of wordless extras, who contribute in no small solution to comedian results.
The sturdy solid was led by Georgian baritone Misha Kiria. A mountain of a person with a voice to match, he sang properly and commanded one’s consideration. Notably amusing had been the scenes between Pasquale and his nephew Ernesto, sung by Santiago Ballerini, who appeared diminutive subsequent to Kiria. The Argentinean tenor was a sensational Rely Almaviva two seasons in the past. As Ernesto, his beautiful tenor with a ton of squillo by no means sounded higher.
Canadian soprano Simone Osborne made a welcome return after her endearing Gretel, now as a vivacious and good Norina. She sang with magnificence if modest quantity, notably within the opening scene together with her within the higher degree, and no backdrop to push her sound ahead. As soon as she was on the ground degree, her crystalline tones got here by means of superbly and he or she acted up a storm.
One other Canadian making a extremely anticipated return was Joshua Hopkins, a frequent visitor artist, final heard as Papageno on the COC. His heat and durable baritone was tailormade for Dr. Malatesta, and he delivered in spades on opening evening.
Additionally making a welcome return to the COC was Quebec Maestro Jacques Lacombe, who led the orchestra in a excessive power and forceful studying of the bubbling rating.
A should for Donizetti followers. Seven extra performances to Could 18.
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Joseph So is Professor Emeritus at Trent College and Affiliate Editor of Opera Canada.He’s additionally a long-time contributor to La Scena Musicale and Opera (London, UK). His curiosity in music journalism focuses on voice, opera in addition to symphonic and piano repertoires. He seems commonly as a panel member of the Massive COC Podcast.He has co-edited a e book, Opera in a Multicultural World: Coloniality, Tradition, Efficiency, printed by Routledge (Taylor & Francis Group).
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