Kaufmann, Westbroek, Tezier excel in Andrea Chenier at Sydney Opera House.

Jonas Kaufmann as Andrea Chenier at the Sydney Opera House – Thurs 8^th August 7pm 

I am still reeling in the after-glow of this magnificent outing of Giordano’s masterpiece, Andrea Chenier. 

55 years ago a determined impresario obtained the services of three of the world’s greatest singers to perform Andrea Chenier in Tokyo.  Happily Renata Tebaldi, Mario Del Monaco and Aldo Protti were filmed for Japanese television and the B&W DVD is one of my prized opera recordings.  Their performances are all staggering and the applause equally enthusiastic in this fully staged version.  Now, decades later in Sydney and Melbourne we have three great singers at their peaks in this same opera, in concert. 

We were fortunate to hear German tenor Jonas Kaufmann, Dutch soprano Eva-Maria Westbroek and French baritone Ludovic Tezier.  Any one of these opera stars should have ensured a full house … but to hear all three with numerous superb Australian singers, chorus and orchestra in Utzon’s ‘wunder-barn’ yielded one of the best nights at the opera since Sutherland and Pavarotti sang here together in 1983. No costumes, no wigs, no sets.  Just glorious vocalism as its best.  The Concert Hall performances were options in the year’s season subscription.  In fact they were a major draw-card. 

Giordano’s brilliance shines through time and again in this wonderful opera … illuminating Luigi Illica’s moving and tragic libretto.  Chenier is a revolutionary poet and he addresses country, love, honour, chivalry, charity, justice and punishment to a rare dramatic perfection.  Monsieur Tezier sings a stunning ‘Son sessant’anni’ to set the scene for revolution; then his equally stentorian ‘Nemico della patria’ to ensure the opera’s unhappy ending.  The tenor has four arias in the two long acts, starting with ‘Un dì all'azzurro spazio’ Mr Kauffman devotes enormous vocal and dramatic energy to each piece.  Ms Westbroek, who sang Sieglinde at the Met recently, sang her famous aria ‘La Mamma morta’ which brought the house down before their final duet ‘Vicino a te’. 

Sian Sharp (Pendry), Anna Dowsley, Ben Rasheed, Richard Anderson, Luke Gabbedy, Domenica Matthews, Jonathan Alley, Christopher Hillier, Alexander Hargraves and Graeme Macfarlane all sang significant roles with style and flair. 

One of the unique performances belonged to Gerard, the manor valet who first evokes the anti-patrician sentiments, uniforms, generations of servants and service without recognition, remuneration or choice.  And looking francishly elegant, Monsieur Tezier wore a bespoke arch-cut tuxedo in deepest green and black which was a ‘uniform’ of sorts emphasising his designated station in life.  And he sang the demonstrative notes of this magnificent role, almost equalling the amazing feat of Aldo Protti in the old TV recording from Tokyo (still available on-line).  While the lovers inevitably take the lime-light at the glorious ending (Madame Guillotine notwithstanding) it is the baritone who carries much of the dramatic weight of this unique work. 

Israeli Sabra Pinchas Steinberg conducted the Opera Australia Orchestra and Chorus.  He was clearly au fait with the piece but for some reason took the start of Act II at a ridiculously fast pace, seemingly to prove that the instruments could keep up, which they seem to have, but few audience ears could have done so in my view.  The chorus likewise did as required to great effect, although this is not a great choral opera. 

There were shades of modern Hong Kong in the story line, such is the revolutionary spirit there just now. 

There are few operas in my experience with as many spine tingling moments as Andrea Chenier and it will a long time before the privileged Sydney audience forgets this experience.  I spoke to two patrons who were determined to re-live the performance on the Sunday matinee following.  Good luck to them! Another decided against it, ‘lest it dent the indelible impression of the prima’. 

Notes by Andrew Byrne .. Sydney addiction physician.

If you want YouTube treat try the improviso https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTGERozgjPw

Equally the last 10 minutes of the opera are splendid … as our heroes the lovers face the guillotine. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1Mb7NVKsz4 
Or in B&W TV from Tokyo in 1961: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbjAKdZ8FT0

Opera blog: http://andrewsopera.blogspot.com/

Andrew's blog http://ajbtravels.blogspot.com/

Tenor Michael Fabiano wows audience in Sydney Werther.

Werther at the Sydney Opera House.  Friday 22^nd Feb 2019

The Sydney audience gave a rare standing ovation for American tenor Michael Fabiano after four relentless acts of this devolving tragedy.  Unlike most operas, Werther has a simple story line of unrequited love leading to suicide.  And Massenet’s evocative orchestration and vocals take us through every stage from observation, recognition, desire, love, lust, envy, loss, anger to despair and death.  Haunting solos and dramatic duets reach incredible operatic high points in each of four acts and this is against the banal backdrops of a family gathering, street scene, a church anniversary and a Christmas dinner. 

We last saw this opera a decade ago with its charming and innovative production by Michael Yeargan and Elijah Moshinsky.  The clever use of indoor/outdoor settings well suits the story which takes place in a home, garden and village square.  An initial stage coup sees an entire sheet of shimmering silk covering all on stage, tables, chairs, bicycle, toys, fence, etc. As the prelude progresses it was almost imperceptibly pulled away, ‘sucked’ into a hole in the middle of the stage!  All is revealed: a weird and wonderful exposé for the scena of bright green grass, garden furniture, festooned entrance architrave, etcetera.

Charlotte was well sung by Elena Maximova who played Olga to the Tatiana of Anna Netrebko at the Metropolitan Opera in 2017.  Young sister Sofie was ably played by Stacey Alleaume with her several impetuous but melodious teenage interjections.  Luke Gabbedy cut a fine Albert while other supporting singers rose to the very substantial occasion for a well balanced performance. 

Werther is best known for its Act III tenor aria Pourquoi me reveiller which Mr Fabiano sang to perfection … as we once heard Luciano Pavarotti do likewise in this same opera house (in concert).  The connected duetto was vocally satisfying and emotionally wrenching, preparing us for the Act IV death scene. 

We first heard Michael Fabiano here as Faust in 2015, then in Lucia in 2018.  His voice may have broadened and his technique become more nuanced and shaded, each vocal phrase carefully crafted.

With its newly functional pit ‘enhancement’ the orchestra sounded full bodied under the baton of Maestro Carlo Montanaro.  As with the vocals, there is a particular style for French tempo, timbre and temperament.  Massenet would have been delighted at the modern presentation of his 1892 masterpiece. 

The opening night audience will long remember being bowled over by the vocal power and intense drama contrasted with subtlety and equipoise of Michael Fabiano’s stentorian performance.  Along with his fellow artists and bright production this is a ‘must-see’ opera.  There are seven more performances so opera lovers in reach of Sydney should get a ticket quickly (there are plenty available according to the company’s web site). 


Notes by Andrew Byrne ..

Opera blog: http://andrewsopera.blogspot.com/