The Makropulos Case, San Francisco Opera, Nov. 24 2010

Karita Mattila gave an absolutely riveting performance as Emilia Marty in Janacek’s penultimate opera, The Makropulos Case, in San Francisco. I had seen the dress rehearsal, and was so tremendously impressed by the entire effort that when a front-row orchestra seat became available I snapped it up, even though my wife and I have yet to attend our regular series performance.

During the prelude, we get an advance peek at the sets for all three acts as the turntable slowly rotates. Act I consists of a very tall wall that curves away from us; inset into the wall are the bookshelves called for in the stage directions, with a ladder on the right for access to their higher levels. At stage level, there is a lawyer's wooden desk and various easy chairs. Legal books and papers are piled high on the desk and on the floor. On the wall is a giant clock. At the dress rehearsal it displayed the current time; at the performance it was about a half-hour fast. Its purpose is to remind us all of time slowly ticking away. The “wallpaper” was cross-hatched black stripes on a white background, more dense in some places than others. The entire effect was monochromatic. In Act II we see a stage curtain painted on another curved black-and-white cross-hatched surface; the stage curtain curves toward us. There is a sofa and a make-up table with lighted mirror that is wheeled in early in the act. Act III presents a bed supporting Emilia Marty and Baron Prus. Behind them a rising walkway curves out of sight. The left side of the walkway is the reverse side of the wall of bookshelves from Act I, while the right side of the walkway is the reverse side of the stage curtain of Act II. The black-and-white cross-hatching persists.

Karita Mattila is performing the role of Emilia Marty for the first time in her career. Her singing and her acting were first-rate in all respects. Her performance was so polished, it’s hard to believe that this is her first time out. It’s also hard to believe that she just turned 50. This ought to be her signature role.

She was supported by a fine cast:
Albert Gregor: Miro Dvorsky
Baron Jaroslav Prus: Gerd Grochowski
Dr. Kolenaty: Dale Travis
Vitek: Thomas Glenn
Kristina: Susannah Biller
Count Hauk-Šendorf: Matthew O’Neill
Janek: Brian Jagde
A Stagehand: Austin Kness
A Chambermaid, A Cleaning Woman: Maya Lahyani
Of these, Gerd Grochowski deserves special mention for his round, full, well-projected baritone.

At the curtain call, enthusiastic applause, with a few standing. When Mattila appeared, everyone rose, and deservedly so. Clearly an alpha.