HGO "Faust"

Tuesday's production had William Burden indisposed such
that he acted the part while some off-stage substitute sang
Faust. Having seen Burden in Monteverdi's "Poppea" last year,
and looking forward to hearing him in this role, I was relieved
that he was to sing last night.

After the first act, it was announced that his severe throat
infection was preventing him from going on (and he did sound
weak from time to time). But what a great job HGO did in
covering him. They arranged for Gregory Kunde to come
in and sing the rest of the performance and he was superb,
having no difficulty fitting into a new performance and
production. (I'm wondering if he had any rehearsal time
with the others--this is an opera that has lots of interaction.)

I did not find it in the program, but this was a production
revived from the early '90s that I liked better than the
1997 production. The finale, with Marguerite ascending
stairs to heaven amidst clouds is really terrific. Too bad
HGO continues to use the trap-door approach to
showing descents into hell--there are better ways to
do it, especially in Don Giovanni.

The cast is great, featuring Samuel Ramey in one of
his best roles. I saw him in this opera in Chicago a
couple of years ago where he was spookier; here he
was more of a comedian, which suits the role and his
stage demeanor.

All of the singers were really good. I liked Marie
Lenormand as Siebel, very boyish and earnest
in her movements around the stage and while
attending to Marguerite. She'd make an ideal
Cherubino.

Tamar Iveri as Marguerite was understated in the
"Jewel Song", but her rich voice underlined the
drama and tragedy in the third act and her
acting was superb, though her French wasn't.
The trio in the third act, probably my favorite part
of the work, was wonderful. Another favorite,
Valentin's big aria in the first act, was also
beautifully done by Earle Patriarco.

As I mentioned to my friend--who had not
seen or heard the opera before, this one is
very tuneful.

Surprisingly, there were a lot of young people
in attendance. On the way in, I overheard a
couple of teenage girls admonishing their
boyfriends (you'd expect it to be the other
way around) that "this better not be too
boring". I assured them that the music
is beautiful--and it was.


--
A. Brain

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Nice account of HGO's 'Faust'. Good to hear that Greg Kunde seems to be
back in voice...he's really a great guy. Sam Ramey really was spooky in
LOC's last production...how's his voice sounding lately?

Was this the same production that LOC did...or a different one? I recall
'Marguerite' walking halfway up a huge number of stairs...then sort of
making a right turn and exiting. Didn't much care for that.

Will you be in Chicago for the 'Carmelites'? If you're around here on Feb
14th...I've an extra dress rehearsal ticket for you.

Jon E. Szostak, Sr.


"A. Brain" wrote in message

> Tuesday's production had William Burden indisposed such
> that he acted the part while some off-stage substitute sang
> Faust. Having seen Burden in Monteverdi's "Poppea" last year,
> and looking forward to hearing him in this role, I was relieved
> that he was to sing last night.
>
> After the first act, it was announced that his severe throat
> infection was preventing him from going on (and he did sound
> weak from time to time). But what a great job HGO did in
> covering him. They arranged for Gregory Kunde to come
> in and sing the rest of the performance and he was superb,
> having no difficulty fitting into a new performance and
> production. (I'm wondering if he had any rehearsal time
> with the others--this is an opera that has lots of interaction.)
>
> I did not find it in the program, but this was a production
> revived from the early '90s that I liked better than the
> 1997 production. The finale, with Marguerite ascending
> stairs to heaven amidst clouds is really terrific. Too bad
> HGO continues to use the trap-door approach to
> showing descents into hell--there are better ways to
> do it, especially in Don Giovanni.
>
> The cast is great, featuring Samuel Ramey in one of
> his best roles. I saw him in this opera in Chicago a
> couple of years ago where he was spookier; here he
> was more of a comedian, which suits the role and his
> stage demeanor.
>
> All of the singers were really good. I liked Marie
> Lenormand as Siebel, very boyish and earnest
> in her movements around the stage and while
> attending to Marguerite. She'd make an ideal
> Cherubino.
>
> Tamar Iveri as Marguerite was understated in the
> "Jewel Song", but her rich voice underlined the
> drama and tragedy in the third act and her
> acting was superb, though her French wasn't.
> The trio in the third act, probably my favorite part
> of the work, was wonderful. Another favorite,
> Valentin's big aria in the first act, was also
> beautifully done by Earle Patriarco.
>
> As I mentioned to my friend--who had not
> seen or heard the opera before, this one is
> very tuneful.
>
> Surprisingly, there were a lot of young people
> in attendance. On the way in, I overheard a
> couple of teenage girls admonishing their
> boyfriends (you'd expect it to be the other
> way around) that "this better not be too
> boring". I assured them that the music
> is beautiful--and it was.
>
>
> --
> A. Brain
>
> Remove NOSPAM for email.