SEEN AND HEARD INTERNATIONAL

Puccini, La Rondine: San Francisco Opera; Ion Marin, conductor; War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco. 12.11.2007  (PD)

Cast:
Magda de Civry: Angela Gheorghiu
Ruggero Lastouc: Misha Didyk
Lisette: Anna Christy
Prunier: Gerard Powers

Production:

Production: Nicolas Joël
Director: Stephen Barlow
Set Designer: Ezio Frigerio
Costume Designer: Franca Squarciapino
Original Lighting Design: Vinicio Cheli
Lighting Designer: Duane Schuler

 

 

For those of us waiting for Angela Gheorghiu to make her long overdue debut at SFO, the moment could not have been more stunning. Barely  twenty minutes into the production, she let loose with the aria, “Chi  il bel sogno di Doretta,” that exceeded all expectations. Absolutely riveting, and all but confirmed that this is a voice for the ages.

The aria itself may be the most recognizable aspect of this particular confection, as most opera-goers here were hardly familiar with the work. Understandable, though, as it has not been performed here since  1934 (and even then, only once).

Why the wait? It doesn’t take long to realize why. While this confection is entertaining enough, it is not up to the standards of the  composer’s other great triumphs. Pity, too, because it can be  appreciated for being a precursor to what TV writers call a “dramedy.”  The plot is too frivolous to be construed as a tragic love story, but  its moments of tender and heartfelt confessions keep it from becoming  comic. One might also argue that “The Swallow” will win new fans of  because of its brevity. At less than two-and-a-half hours, the operetta  may prove popular with the new generation flocking to performances of  abbreviated works in Italy now.

And while there’s no objection to opera-lite here in San Francisco, the  performance would have been more seamless had there not been an abrupt  and awkward set change between the first and second acts. The  director’s decision to have the curtains pulled for a five-minute break  proved highly disruptive and confused many in the audience.

Another disappointing aspect was the weak singing done by tenor, Misha  Didyk, who was so masterful here last year in “Manon Lescaut.” Maybe he was having a bad night.

Not so for the other principals, however. Soprano Anna Christy did a nice turn as Lisette, giving us a fun and finely tuned performance.  Philip Skinner, as Rambaldo, sang with pitch-perfect vigor.


Paul Duclos

Picture © Terrence McCarthy

 

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