I enjoy a good opera gala. And it has to be said I have attended some memorable ones at Covent Garden including the Farewell Gala before the house closed down in 1997 for refurbishment. No such noble cause this time - this was essentially a fund raising gala grandly entitled. 'Life Reimagined'
As with all such enterprises the end result didn't quite match the anticipated line up. Mariusz Kwiecien was originally billed to star but pulled out quite some time ago. Tenor Aleksandrs Antonenko was recruited but fell at the last hurdle causing a hasty reshuffling of the program - more of which later. This was essentially opera and ballet's greatest hits - although it has to be said that once again the ballet elements seemed a tad more imaginative than the vocal offerings.
I must admit I was pretty impressed with the overall production values of the concert. I loved the fact that a camera in the pit enabled the orchestral numbers to be shown close up on the stage screen. Clever use of screening and visuals masked the comings and goings and there were plenty of video clips to enhance the live numbers and give some insight into what was coming up next.
So without further ado, my brief comments on the programme as follows:
Eugene Onegin - Polonaise
Nicola Luisotti led the band in a enthusiastic rendition of this number which set the appropriate celebratory mood. Loved the video of the orchestra projected onto the stage.
Still Life at the Penguin Cafe - Texan Kangaroo Rat
The first slice of ballet and a hugely enjoyable one mostly due to the enthusiastic participation of the young dancers aged 10-11 who were obviously enjoying themselves. Cute factor = 9/10
Sola, Perduta, Abandonata, Manon Lescaut
The originally billed duet from Cavalleria Rusticana with Antonenko had to be abandoned when the tenor jumped ship due to illness. But luckily Eva-Mara Westbroek was on heartbreaking form as Manon Lescaut in the final act solo. Gorgeously if not perfectly sung, it made me want to see her in the full role. Extra points for looking glamorous in black twinkly frock.
'See, even Night herself is here'.
Another ballet slot with vocals by soprano Lauren Fagen. It was very pretty and I enjoyed the music by Purcell. Alas I could have done with subtitles here as even though sung in English, I understood not a word!
Au fond du temple saint, Les Pecheurs de perles
Standard concert fare this duet for tenor and baritone but nicely done all the same. Toby Spence and Samuel Dale Johnson blended perfectly without exactly setting the house on fire.
Qualia. Pas de deux
Ballet. Modern dance. This totally flumoxed me. I didn't really enjoy if I'm honest - I suspect mainly because the music by Robin David Rimbaud was recorded and played into the auditorium leaving the orchestra twiddling their thumbs - metaphorically if not literally.
Ebben, Ne andro lontana - La Wally
A rather ubiquitous aria choice for a gala, but gorgeously sung by Sonya Yoncheva nonetheless. I'm looking forward to Ms Yoncheva's upcoming Traviata's - they should be something special.
Jewels 'Diamonds' pas de deux
Another grand slice of ballet and very nice it was too. Loved the music but again I'm afraid that out of context ballet just doesn't really move me.
Credo in un Dio crudel, Otello
Now this is more like it! In the brief video clip before he came on stage Bryn commented that he wouldn't sing the full role on stage but loved to sing this aria. A great pity if this brief glimpse is anything to go by. Gloriously malevolent and biting this was a real highlight of the evening. Bryn brings his A game - 9/10.
Grand Defile
Basically an excuse to get the whole of the Royal Ballet School on stage. I rather enjoyed it and rather impressive to see the whole stage filled with pupils of all ages.
Out of the Ruins music by Charlotte Bray
Part two kicked off with this world premiere performed on stage by the ROH Youth Opera Company. Lovely to see such enthusiasm on stage from the younger generation and if there was one theme I picked up on tonight was that we really do have to nurture the future opera and ballet stars.
March from The Love for Three Oranges
The orchestra get their chance to shine again and Luisotti's enthusiasm is really infectious.
The Cards, from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
One of the very few full length ballet's I actually know! Having seen this on New Year's Eve I loved this reminder that modern ballet can be fun. I also loved the music by Joby Talbot which totally fits the story. Highly recommended if you haven't seen it.
Kuda, kuda vi udaililis, Eugene Onegin
Lensky's lovelorn aria was wonderfully sung by Toby Spence. Full of desperate sadness and longing - one of my favourite pieces of the evening.
Tchaikovsky pas de deux
I think I may have reached by ballet threshold by this point. Went on just a tad too long for my boredom levels. I can admire the athleticism and artistry of the dancers but.....
Suicidio, La Gioconda
Eva-Maria leaps to the rescue with a sizzling account the heroine's aria from this rarely performed opera. Would love to see EMW in this but realistically it probably won't happen unless Jonas Kaufmann decides he wants to sing Enzo.
Summertime
A world premier by choreographer Liam Scarlett to one of Gershwin's most famous songs. I actual enjoyed this and the orchestral playing was especially fine.
Quanto amore, L'elisire d'amore
You can always rely on Donizetti....and Bryn Terfel to liven up a party! Sure enough, Bryn brought his own two cans of 'elixir' on stage and downed one can in one gulp at the end. Sonya Yoncheva was a lyrical and pert Adina who entered into the fun of it all.
If I loved you, pas de deux, Carousel
A final helping of ballet and definitely worth waiting for. The Richard Rogers music instantly familiar of course, but I loved the characterisation by Carlos Acosta and Sarah Lamb. Probably my favorite ballet extract of the evening.
Der Holle Rache, Die Zauberflote
The final item on the programme was originally scheduled to be Nessun Dorma! Not wishing Antonenko ill,but I'm rather glad we didn't get it. A sadly overexposed aria and out of context,not very interesting. Instead we got the Queen of the Night's showcase aria which was executed with efficiency and aplomb by Anna Siminska, currently singing the role in David McVicar's ROH production.
So, all in all it was a bit of a mixed bag but some very enjoyable moments indeed.
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