OPERA: Coenraad Visser reviews Tosca
WHEN Scarpia slams his door to shut out the sound of Tosca singing, he makes the point that the power of the politician will always be stronger than that of the artist. Perhaps that is Pact Opera’s oblique comment on current events affecting the continued existence of this art form in South Africa.
But Pact’s Tosca is notable for much more than a fleeting political statement. In the last production of his tenure, conductor Carlo Franci inspires a passionate orchestral performance that could not be bettered. This is Italian opera at its most idiomatic, and certainly at its exciting best.
Vocally, Carla Pohl is a magnificent Tosca. With a voice of true Wagnerian proportions and highly acclaimed for her performances of the Germanic repertoire, her Tosca does not comfortably fit the Italian mould. Yet, such is her vocal shading and the sheer beauty of her voice that one soon fails to notice the odd phrase pressed flat, instead of rounded. Vissi d’arte, though, is exquisitely sung, most moving in its sad despair.
Sidwell Hartman, for much of the opera unfortunately dressed in something resembling a dirty blue babygrow, is a generous Cavaradossi. His big aria, E lucevan le stelle, sears with raw emotion, but never at the expense of the vocal line. This is indeed a fabulous performance, indicative of Hartman’s fast- growing reputation overseas.
The weak link in the cast is, perhaps as expected, Hans van Heerden (Scarpia). Although he is brutally, if one-dimensionally, evil in his characterisation, his failing vocal powers now reduce his performance to little more than sing-speak, or rather sing-bark. In a crucial role, this is not good enough and is a sad blemish on a career formerly of great distinction.
In small roles, Anton Stoltz is inappropriately camp and comic as Spoletta, John Fletcher an assured Sacristan, and Rouel Beukes reliable as always as Angelotti.
Neels Hansen’s production works better this time round, helped no end by three main characters who can act. Andrew Botha’s set remains awkward to negotiate in the second act.
Tosca will be performed at the State Theatre, Pretoria, on August 23, 26 and 29 at 8pm