Puccini: Gianni Schicchi
Southern Opera
James Hay Theatre, Christchurch
12 March 2009
Puccini's masterly one act comic opera was given a fine performance on the opening night in Christchurch.
As comic opera should be, it was sung in English, but without surtitles, so that some of the witty dialogue escaped me due no doubt to the variable diction of the performers. In this aspect as usual the women's voices fared worse than the men's. I would have preferred surtitles as well.
However, one aspect of the production I approved of was the cast selection, as all the performers closely matched the ages stipulated by the librettist, Forzano and Puccini.
The bickering family of the deceased Buoso Donati were convincing with their money squabbles. Veteran bass Grant Dickson impressed as Simone but Maree Hawton-Morrow as Zita disappointed with her unclear diction.
The young couple were engaging. Australian/Italian tenor Virgilio Marino gave a delightful account as Rinuccio, especially in his aria about Florence. The show stopping aria "O my beloved daddy" was touchingly felt by Christchurch soprano Anna Argyle as Lauretta.
Really, however this show belonged to Martin Snell as Gianni Schicchi. Dressed in check trousers and sun hat, he looked every bit the wise man about town. In all that he did he gave that extra meaning that only a great singer can do. I'd seen him before in Wellington and Bayreuth and it was a great pleasure to hear him again. His monologue was cleverly done and the "Farewell dear Florence, I wave goodbye with this poor handless arm" was absolutely hilarious.
The Christchurch Symphony Orchestra gave effective support and the conductor Peter Walls managed the balance very well.
Well known comic actor Mark Hadlow can be well pleased with his debut as an opera director. The madcap action was spectacular. The suitable set by Mark McEntyre featured a two way cupboard, ideal for the storage of Buoso Donati's corpse.
Although only one of the operas comprising Il Trittico was presented, this was still a considerably undertaking for a small company and the audience was enthusiastic. Puccini's masterpiece has been compared with Falstaff and Die Meistersinger, but has anyone compared it with West Side Story? I for one can hear aspects of the score that remind me of Leonard Bernstein's music and that's not a bad thing, given the popularity of both composers' stage music.