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Sister Angelica and Gianni Schicchi |
Through 7/28/2007
Reviewed by Gary Scott
"Tears before Laughter" would fittingly describe Union Avenue Opera's production this summer of Sister Angelica (Suor Angelica in Italian) and Gianni Schicchi, two of the three one-acts penned by Giacomo Puccini. The two operas are very different in theme, style and casting needs, yet they are bound together by Puccini's brilliant orchestration and seamless development of musical and dramatic tension, whether the subject be tragic or comic.
Those who would dismiss Puccini's genius and relegate him to the
status of a Romantic sentimentalist would do well to study his skilled
handling of instrumental as well as human voices and his uncanny
ability to structure simple musical motives into a towering edifice.
Founder and conductor Scott Schoonover released the baton for this
performance to guest conductor Kostis Protopapas, whose impressive
resume does not exagerrate his ability to craft the entire ensemble
into a single unity. Such eloquence of expression is particularly
important in interpreting Puccini.
Soprano Patricia Andress shone brightly in the title role of Sister Angelica,
portraying a nun of noble birth banished to the convent after giving
birth to a son out of wedlock. Her cold-hearted aunt, sung by Veronica
McHale, projected a dark embodiment of the callousness that we humans
sometimes receive from--and show to--others. The all-female cast truly
worked as an ensemble, although McHale's voice noticeably projected
deeper into the hall than the others, no doubt due to her lower range
and the darkness of her role. Although it was never difficult to hear
any of the voices, I think I would have liked the others to match
McHale's sound rather than the other way around.
Sister Angelica is perhaps my favorite of all operas, and so I wasn't sure if I could make the transistion to the comic Gianni Schicchi in
the second half of the program, but Puccini--and Union Avenue--did it
for me. Immediately the sparkling fast-paced score pulls you in, and
the rough and tumble gymnastics of voices onstage capture your
attention, as did the vibrfant costumes designed by Teresa Doggett.
Principals Matthew Singer in the title role and romantic leads Matthew Edwardsen and Shawnette Sulker as Rinuccio and Lauretta,
respectively, were equally vibrant. The entire cast seemed to gush
forth fountains of well-enunciated--and well-rehearsed--Italian.
Director Jolly Stewart's traditional staging was right on. These two
operatic jewels stand completely on their own and require only
enhancement, not innovation. The Union Avenue orchestra is always a
star in its own right, but this year the balance and intonation were
particularly impressive. However, care must be taken to ensure that the
remodeled pit chamber for the musicians does not dampen the beautiful
instgrumental resonance that has added so much to Union Avenue
productions.
Further performances of Sister Angelica and Gianni Schicchi will be presented on July 27 and 28, and Porgy and Bess,
co-produced with the Black Rep, will begin its run on August 17. For
further information, contact the Union avenue box office at
314-361-2881, or online at unionavenueopera.org.
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