OPERA NEWS Vincent La Selva's New York Grand Opera returned to the Central Park Summerstage in
July to continue its ~vviva Verdi!" series, now at the halfway mark. Large,
enthusiastic crowds attended I Masnadieri, Jerusalem, n They are also grand operas, requiring forces and resources beyond the reach of most companies. So it would be misleading to suggest that NYGO's productions were flawless. Each performance contained points of light, ranging from sparks of potential to brilliant lightning bolts. The company's main strengths are La Selva's conducting, strong support from a solid orchestra and outstanding individual performances. The singers who do best are those with plenty of experience, dependable vocal technique, a firm grasp of the material and the ability to invent details for themselves. In I Masnadieri (1847), Antonio Carangelo, a true Italian tenor, delivered an impassioned Carlo, and Dominik Eberle, a Swiss bass making his U.S. debut, distinguished himself as Massimiliano. Baritone Raemond Martin was vocally impressive as Francesco. Jerusalem (1847), one of three Verdi operas set to French texts, is a major reworking of I Lombardi (1843). The Central Park event was the opera's first staged performance in New York. Gerard Powers offered a complete vocal and dramatic performance as Gaston Viscount of Bearn highlighted by leading- man good looks dynamic presence and first-class French diction. Cynthia Springsteen was well suited to Helene, daughter of the Count of Toulouse, singing easily and convincingly, and bringing strength and vulnerability to her characterization. Likewise, bass Valentin Peytchinov turned in a compelling performance as Roger. Highlights of n Corsaro (1848) included the performance of soprano Katherine Harris. Cast against type as the harem girl Gulnara, she gave a marvelous vocal and dramatic reading. _ Martin returned to the company as Seid, Pasha of Corone, with presence and expressive vocalism. La Battaglia di Legnano (1849) featured the professional debut of soprano Amelia D'Arcy, a recent winner of the Rosa Ponselle International Voice Competition. Though not necessarily headed for a career as a Verdi heroine, D'Arcy is a well trained singer with a compelling vocal quality. |