Opera
Coenraad
Visser
The State Theatre’s production of Manon is a milestone in many respects. It is the first production of Massenet’s early masterpiece in South Africa, an all-South African cast does full justice to the rich score and a South African production team presents a unified artistic vision that draws on the best European tradition. In short, then, a production that should be seen.
In the title role, Hanli Stapela catches all the moods of the tragic heroine. Vocally, she starts out tentatively, like her character, but then does justice to the arias portraying the more worldly and mature Manon. Easily Stapela’s best performance ever on this stage.
Deon van der Walt, back after more than a decade during which he has established himself as one of the world’s leading lyric tenors, sings with ardour and conviction as Des Grieux, Manon’s ill-fated lover. Like Stapela, though, there are moments when he lacks the natural vocal power to sing through the rich orchestration. But his remains an interpretation to treasure, full of detail and vocal colour.
Andre Howard (Lescaut) is easily the best voice on stage, rich and full in all registers, easily rising above the orchestra. At times he could have been more involved in the events around him, but this is a small complaint.
In smaller roles Jannie Moolman (Guillot) shone, and Eric Visser (Bretigny) for once camped it up on the director’s instructions. Antoinette Olivier (Javotte) overshadowed Ann-Jeanette Benson (Rosette) and particularly Anina Wasserman (Pousette), who has major problems with pitch. Rouel Beukes (as Des Grieux’s father) was wooden and uninterested, common afflictions for him these days.
Much of the success can be attributed to Peter Cazalet’s imaginative sets and costumes and Nic Michaletos’ lighting, which perfectly complemented Leonard Prinsloo’s direction. Prinsloo’s work was a revelation, a reminder of just how short- changed we have come to be. Not a movement was wasted and the freeze-frame device was used to great effect, always focused on the unfolding drama. May he return often!
Conductor David Agler brought out the full beauty of the score, ably aided by the New Arts Philharmonic Orchestra at its best and not too hampered by the State Theatre Opera Chorus taking yet another step backwards.
Manon is on at the State Theatre in Pretoria until July 3