OPERA: Coenraad Visser
AS one has come to expect, the Italian Opera Gala presented by the Roodepoort City Opera is something of a curate’s egg. But the good parts are quite simply stunning.
Excerpts from eight Italian operas are presented on an open stage, without the aid of props or costumes. But with imaginative direction from Johan Spies and very effective lighting designed by James McNamara and Tersia du Plessis, the effect is never boring. Rather, one’s attention is focused on the singers. The three female leads rise splendidly to the challenge.
Sally du Randt, the perennial bridesmaid of local singing competitions, and constantly ignored by the arts councils, emerges here as a singer who can hold her own in any company. Gone are the woolly edges to her voice. Now it admits to no technical limitations and is gloriously seamless and even in all registers. Whether as Norma, Amelia, Elisabetta di Valois or Lucia, Du Randt is most moving, a complete artist. Madama Butterfly’s Un bel di vedremo has rarely been sung so affectingly. Pact Opera needs to search no further to cast this role next year.
How good, too, to see the vibrant Isabelle van Zyl back on stage. The rich autumnal colours of her voice are simply breathtaking and add to a very strong stage personality. A pity that she was not given one of the showpieces. To hear her as Ulrica, for example, must be a dream come true.
Estelle Kruger continues to impress, here as the complete Gilda, a role she should assume soon in a full production.
Of the men, Hans van Heerden was in better voice than he has been recently, as Nabucco, Scarpia and Rigoletto. This season is fittingly dedicated to this stalwart of local opera to celebrate his 60th birthday later this month.
Bongani Tembe is a pleasant tenor. Although all the notes are there, unfortunately his voice is much too small to do what is expected of the Duke in Rigoletto and Edgardo in Lucia di Lammermoor.
Weiss Doubell supports the singers ably and gamely, the Pro Musica Orchestra less so.
The Italian Opera season runs at the Roodepoort City Theatre until November 25