London Symphony Orchestra at the Barbican
8th June 2006
It is unusual, that the Primi Divi see an opera, and no-one likes it. Customarily, at least one of us, does, and that person, will write the review. Fit Crit, might have liked Powder Her Face, as it did, contain references, to such shocking actions, as would, surely, delight the heart, of a fifteen year old boy, but, being of limited years, he is prohibited, from attending more than one opera, per week, as a rule, or two, on exeptional, occasions. Although, surely, he is much too young for Powder Her Face, it should, surely, have an 18 certificate. He decided, he would rather see, Don Giovanni, in Birmingham, condemming, Powder Her Face, as no more, than chick lit. So it was, merely, the remainder of us, who were forced, to struggle, agonisingly, through this opera, which captured, none of our hearts. Thomas Ades, the composer, conducted, I have not, I do think, ever seen a composer, conduct, before, I would so love, to see Puccini conducting Madama Butterfly, or Tosca, but I fear, this would be almost impossible. Perhaps, I was, perhaps, not in the best, of abilities of judging, when I was so overwhelmed, by the horrors, contained within. The music, was so seemless, without form, or romance, and I did not, I confess, understand it, in the slightest. I rather think, that Barry Tone, regarded this opera, more highly, in terms, of musicality, but Barry, could not bring himself, to describe the content, of this opera, which I only do, with the faintest of hearts. It did not, I have to say, fullfill me. The story, was about a Duchess, of rampant sexuality, and her horrofying, sexual, adventures! Mary Plazas, sang this role, with resplendant beauty, and, in appearance, was of great eligance, although I am too deeply shocked, to remember, her exact attire. But the character, was too, overwhelmingly reprehensible. All the other roles, many of them, were sung by just three singers, there was a soprano, Valdine Anderson, who began the opera, as the Maid, and, later, sang other roles, including, the Duchesss confidant, and a Waitress. Her voice was very light, very attractive, her aria when she was the Waitress, sparkled with particular splendour. She is too good, for this repugnent work. The tenor, was Daniel Norman, he had a sweet voice, but he did not attract me, nor move me, to wild paroxisms, of anything. His main role, was as an Electrician, he also sang, a Lounge Lizard, which sounds, so amusing. Stephen Richardson, however, reached the greatest heights, in his singing, only, not literally, as he is, a bass-baritone, but his heights, actually, were quite great for a bass, as his many roles, included, bottom Cs, and top Fs, three and a half octaves, above, and Stephen, could sing every note, he is far too good, for these monstrosities, which I have not, yet, quite, described, the Duchess does something that begins with F, in fact, several things, that begin with F, and I am not being crude, one of them is fornication, but the other, I cannot say, it is too rude. But Ill give you a clue, it happened, in Don Giovanni and Lulu, too, both at the ENO. And I really would have enjoyed it much better without it.
Violetta
primi-divi at hotmail.co.uk