[ad_1]
Sondra Radvanovsky, sop. (Medea); Matthew Polenzani, ten. (Giasone); Alfred Walker, bbar. (Creonte); Janai Brugger, sop. (Glauce); Zoie Reams, mezz. (Neris); Alex Halliday, bbsr. (Captain); Charlotte Siegel, sop. (Handmaiden 1); Alex Hetherington, mezz. (Handmaiden 2) / Canadian Opera Firm Orchestra and Refrain, Lorenzo Passerini, conductor / 4 Seasons Centre, Might 3, 2024. Repeats Might 9, 11, 15 & 17; tickets right here.
The Canadian Opera Firm saved its finest for final in an exciting COC premiere of a not often carried out opera, Cherubini’s Medea. This can be a co-production shared by the Metropolitan Opera, Greek Nationwide Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and the COC. Based mostly on the large ovations from the just about sold-out viewers on opening night time, Medea was an unqualified success, decidedly the most important triumph of a season of many memorable moments.
Composed by Luigi Cherubini, Medée, initially in French, premiered in 1797 Paris. The work is now extra sometimes carried out in Italian translation. The plot relies on the well-known Euripides’ play on the title character. In Greek mythology, Medea the sorceress helps Jason in quest of the Golden Fleece. They marry and have two youngsters. Jason later abandons her to marry Glauce, the daughter of King Creonte. Medea takes revenge by killing the King, Jason’s bride, in addition to her personal two youngsters.
Given this ugly story, one would suppose Medea is the archetypal antiheroine, however she’s additionally portrayed as a sufferer, having been betrayed by Jason and others round her. It’s this ambivalence that makes Medea an fascinating character, and Cherubini has composed nice, very intensely lovely music for her, to be sung by a dramatic soprano. Since Maria Callas had achieved legendary success with Medea within the Fifties, few sopranos as of late would dare to tackle this difficult position.
Effectively, the Callas legacy didn’t cease Sondra Radvanovsky, and for that we’re grateful! Many people, yours really included, caught her when Medea was staged on the Met two seasons in the past. I attended the Met Reside in HD model, and I used to be struck by the good-looking set and the artistry of Radvanovsky. However seeing it dwell on the 4 Seasons Centre yesterday, it actually brings house to me the saying that “you need to be there!” In individual on the FSC, I used to be overwhelmed by the grandeur of the manufacturing, and most of all, by the galvanizing efficiency of Radvanosky within the title position.
She completely gave her all, throwing herself into the position, singing with a nicely gauged stability of abandonment and management, placing us on the sting of our seats with pleasure, however by no means giving us the sensation that she won’t make it. It was really a efficiency for the ages. Becoming a member of her as a ringing toned Giasone was tenor Matthew Polenzani, returning to the COC after his great Alfredo a few seasons in the past.
Two principals making notable COC debuts had been soprano Janai Brugger as a sympathetic Glauce, and mezzo Zoie Reams, wonderful because the trustworthy maid Neris.
The David McVicar manufacturing is arguably probably the most luxurious and opulent manufacturing seen on the COC in years. The gilded sliding panels, the big, strategically angled mirror, the wonderful projections, and the resplendent costumes all contributed to a feast for the eyes. The photographs within the Finale, with the mirror reflecting Medea and her two youngsters slowly being engulfed by flames, will stick with me for a very long time. Musically it was an thrilling night, with debuting Italian conductor Lorenzo Passerini main the orchestra in a brisk and incisive studying of the rating. The 2 hours of music glided by in a flash,
One last observe: Whereas Radvanovsky’s Medea is to not be missed, I look ahead to additionally listening to the alternate Medea of Italian soprano Chiara Isotton, a rising star within the opera world. Her exceptionally lovely lirico-spinto voice garnered a lot reward for her current Met debut as Fedora. Isotton will sing on Might 15 and 17.
Are you seeking to promote an occasion? Have a information tip? Must know the perfect occasions taking place this weekend? Ship us a observe.
#LUDWIGVAN
Get the every day arts information straight to your inbox.
Join the Ludwig Van Toronto e-Blast! — native classical music and opera information straight to your inbox HERE.
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 often as a panel member of the Large COC Podcast.He has co-edited a ebook, Opera in a Multicultural World: Coloniality, Tradition, Efficiency, printed by Routledge (Taylor & Francis Group).
[ad_2]
