IL TROVATORE

IL TROVATORE

OPERA AUSTRALIA IN VERDI’S ‘IL TROVATORE ‘
Sydney Opera House Feb 2013
‘Avenge me’.
Power, passion, politics and hidden family secrets. Part of the Opera Australia yearlong celebration of Verdi , this is an explosive, gripping production that is stirring and enthralling .

From the opening ominous rumbles and drumbeats the orchestra under the direction of Arvo Volmer is tremendous. The opera was premiered in 1853 and here is transposed to the 1930’s Spanish Civil War.It is a story of violence , clashing armies and brother against brother.Michael Scott-Mitchell’s dramatic set (wonderfully lit by Nick Schliepper) is mostly a bombed out rubble filled area with some ankle-twisting steps and hidden doors and walls.
There is a glorious scene in Act1 in the church, when Eleanora goes to become a novice nun- there are small iconlike sliding windows with the nuns behind them, a terrific coup de theatre. I was also most impressed with the way in Act 2 the prison is shown high up in a small enclosed area in stark black and white, like a Picasso drawing .There were also references to bullfights in the duel in Act1 and Goya’s famous paintings .
The heroine, Leonora, was terrifically sung by Daria Masiero.For most of Act 2 she is in a red dress ( here the symbolic colour of blood and sacrifice ? ) She is strong, passionate and determined , sacrificing herself for love of Manrico. She has a show stopping , marvellous aria in Act1 ‘Tacea la notte placida ‘ when she confides her love for Manrico to her sister Inez ( delightfully played by Sian Pendry) .The duets with Manrico are glorious and the trio at the finale magnificent .

The revolutionary hero of the opera, Manrico, the eponymous ‘troubadour’ of the title , was superbly sung by Arnold Rawls . Proud and passionate, bright and lean in vocal timbre, he is also a dutiful , loving son .There are wonderful duets for Manrico and Azucena in both acts.He is in fine voice and has thrilling arias in both acts eg ‘Ah si, ben mio coll’essere ‘.

The big show stopper however is ravishingly, meltingly sung by the villain of the piece, baritone Count Di Luna (Michael Honeyman) : ’Il Balen’ .It is sung in Act1 when he confesses to the priest Ferrando his love for Leonora and we see a somewhat different side of his nature. He is obsessed with her and determined to have her regardless.

Azucena, a fiery, intense gypsy woman was terrifically portrayed by Milijana Nikolic .Her ominous first aria ‘Stride la Vampa’ is chilling. Full of tormented dignity, she is strong and powerful yet wracked by guilt and remorse. When imprisoned in Act2 she almost goes mad,rocking and holding a folded, tattered red cloak like a baby.

Mention must also be made of the fine performance by Richard Anderson as Ferrando the priest who opens the show intensely and dramatically in his telling of the ‘ghost story’ to the chorus. He has a commanding, opulent ,rumbling tone .The chorus in this show are tremendous, very disciplined and clear , very well drilled with impeccable timing and great individual characterization.The famous ‘Anvil Chorus’ in Act2 is very stirring and exciting. Much fun is had in Act2 with the medical inspection of the new recruits!

A thrilling, powerful evening with a shattering final denoument.

Viva Verdi!
Il Trovatore runs at the Joan Sutherland Theatre Sydney Opera House various dates in rep until March 5 .
Running time 2hrs 45 ( approx) 1 interval
Conductor Arvo Volmer
Director Matthew Barclay
Based on a production by Elke Neidhardt
Set design Michael Scott- Mitchell
Costume design Judith Hoddinott
Lighting Nick Schliepper
Assistant conductor Anthony Legge
Assistant Director Michael Campbell

tags Ferrando Richard Anderson
Inez Sian Pendry
Leonora Daria Masiero
Count di Luna Michael Honeyman
Manrico Arnold Rawls
Azucena Milijana Nikolic
With the
Opera Australia Chorus and the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra