REVIEW: Singers hit high notes . . despite obscure choices
IT ISN'T every day that some of the younger stars of Scottish Opera appear in West Lothian so when they presented the final concert of their busy touring season, the evening was well supported by a Livingston audience.
Prepared, as we were, to listen to some of the best-known operatic arias, Scottish Opera director David Hunter kept the stage setting minimal, utilising a large theatrical props basket, two chairs and two coat hangers, plus an upright piano.
As each member of the four-strong cast arrived, dressed in casual outdoor clothes, they introduced themselves beautifully and went on to effortlessly link each segment of song with a brief resume of the plot.
Not always easy because lesser-known works tend to be complicated. But they did so with charm and interpreted each piece with voices which proved why Scottish Opera are leaders in today's operatic world.
Featuring the superb accompaniment of musical director Ruth Wilkinson, their choice of programme perhaps disappointingly steered clear of the most obvious, popular arias and instead introduced us to libretto and music from mainly lesser-known works in the first half.
However, they did grant us one memorable aria from Puccini's La Boheme and this did reach deep into the soul as soprano Miranda Sinani created one of Mimi's famous arias, and also enthralled us with the famous Juliet waltz in the second half.
So even if these two arias were the only ones you could actually identify, then what a treat you enjoyed.
The gentlemen, Adrian Ward, (tenor) and Robert Tucker (baritone) shone in their respective solos and sparkled in their various duets, whilst Miss Louise Collett (mezzo soprano) added a delicious touch of humour when she appeared in I was a constant, faithful wife.
A liberally-minded lady in black whose husband had enjoyed several affairs with all sorts of women, until she drew the line when it came to her personal maid!
The programme featured works by Italian, French, English and American composers and using minimal props, the quartets of singers created atmosphere, drama, humour and romance in an evening which begged an encore and fortunately received one.
It was a witty song about a gosling about to marry his sweetheart who sadly ends up as Christmas dinner down at the farm. And when he goes to bitterly complain, he gets his head chopped off and ends up on the festive plate alongside his fiance.
So if they were not together in life, they ended up together in death. A frothy little piece which showed off each singer to great advantage.
Oh, how the evening cried out for more Puccini or Bizet and yet the singers portrayed their roles with such verve and enthusiasm that the lack of the more popular arias could be forgiven – even if they selected a lesser-known aria from Pagliacci and caused the audience to applaud in the wrong places more than once.
Having said all that, this was an evening of quality entertainment with a faultless quality performance which merited bouquets for the cast and musical director.
Perhaps next time this can be arranged?
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Weather for Bathgate
Tuesday 07 February 2012
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