38 - Friday. Novembe: 27 1998 -

North Shore News

towards inelodrama

B Tosca by Puccini. Vancouver Opera pro-
duction at the Qucen Elizabeth Theatre.
Two performances remaining on Nov. 28
and 30.

Ben D'Andrea
Contvtinsting Writer

GIACOMO Puccini knew that a lit-
tle sensationalism never hurt an
opera’s chances.

I's casy to understand why be composed

an opera based on th »pular phy La Towa

by Vierorien Sardow. “The piay ts a gold

mine oF da suspense til plantings x Tes

extrer ot villainy and virtic embodied by

characters who refuse to bortle up. their

emotions — garish b to warm a calcu:

lating opera composer’s heart.

Of course, a composer disguise the
melodrama in opera, but ever since Pu
chase not to, his Tasca has been one of
most pop :

Howey u
requires a director tho Sinderstand

then a restrained approach
best: Exaggerated acting quickly descends
imo parody and slipshod. staging into tedi-
um, as ouver Opera’s opening night
performance of Tasca too often proved.

The mose disappointing results came in
the frst a ct American director Albert

coached the two
prin n fetle more than a series
of sudden clutch-and-release embraces
meant to suggest passionate tov

Also of dubious merit was having ue
lovers sing part of their duet lying on the
oor of the Church of Sant’ Andrea detla
Valle. Ondy the Sacristan managed to look
natural as he went about his business.

The staying in the second and third
yielded better results in building dramar
tension, but Takazauckas never ‘completely v
overcame the difficulties of the opening act.

Marquita Lister made a very youthftl-
looking Floria To Tosea transcends
Puceini’s usual one-dimensional heroine:
and Lister made bold attem pls fo sugge
the contrasting asp: .

Unfortunately, Lister also Yook an unbri-

dled melodramaue approach to the rede that

at times bordered on parody aod cantlicned

with the subdued styles of bath Searpia

Cavaradosst. (Her frenzied search tor tae

conduct pass, with sheets of paper fly

ing off Searpia’s desk in every direction,

belongs to conne opera.) Bat her tempera
rved her very well in the big “Vissi
ara, her top notes clear and P

ful. Lister's Italian diction © coasionally

le te rhe desired,

was not quite the tenore di forza on
Saturday night. His Cavarados.i was cither a
fearless and nonch anstocrat (putong
his fect upon Scarpia’s desk while being
interroyated) or emotionally detached.

Perhaps it depends on what you are look-
ing for in a Casaradossi, butt found Forbis
lacked a sufficiently powerful stage presence.
Nonetheless, his *E Tucevan le stelle” had
the ri quised emotional fire and his tone was
heroic and full,

As Baron Scarpia, Rome's lago-like chiet
of potice, Tom Box delivered a consistent
and authoritative performance, bork dramat-

liv. He was most effectiv
daring his evehanges with Tosca, Among
the minor roles, the Shepherd Boy (contis-
ingly identitied in the program ay both
Conor Hammond and Cary MeCattery}
sang a plaintive and beautiftl solo off-stage.

David Agler conducted the Vancouver
Opera orchestra ina good pertormancs
averall, although there was a ragged
moment or nwo, and F found the tempo in
the tinal act rather too slow. And where,
incidentally, were the sheer nthe
orchestral prelude to Act HE The realistic
sets depicting the three Roman iandmarks,
borrowed from ihe Seatde Opera, looked

three main owen g
«© — but in general it compares
f seasan’s best. FE want-
isa
n performances of
live ‘opera. 7 wanted an inspired performance
te litt me out of my seat.

is coming

The 1/2 Carat
t Diamond Promotion

iz Capilano Mall
1 OM og eT Pd ‘ See

¢

ee

9 an IS SERRE CON

ay

988-6007

Vencouver Opers
MARQUITA Lister as Tosca and Tom Fox as Baron Scarpia in the Vancouver
Qvera's production of Tosca at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.

Lions Gate Project
Open House

Find out more about the Province’s plans
for the Lions Gaie Bridge. There will be
historical photos, artist’s renderings of the
completed project and more. Come to the
North Shore Convention Centre at 1999
Marine Drive, on December 3, 1998 from
4:00 - 8:00 pm.

S6CIFA
BC Transportation
Financing Authority

icus Gate Project “Seam