Festival Opera (Walnut Creek) presented Donizetti's great tragedy with two of my favorite singers, Kirk Eichelberger as Raimundo and Brian Leerhuber as Enrico. Also featured were some names new to me: Angela Cadelago as Lucia, Thomas Glenn as Edgardo, and Michael Foreman as Arturo. Kirk was, as always, superb. Unfortunately the director cut his scene with Lucia after Enrico departs following his Act 2 “Se tradirmi.” But he shone particularly well in his big aria following Lucia's mad scene. Brian's voice was as good as I remembered from his years at Opera San Jose. Patrice Houston (Alisa) is also an Opera San Jose alumna, and she made me wish that I had paid more attention to her during those years.
Angela Cadelago sounded a bit underpowered for this role; I wonder whether Rosina might be more her speed. Thomas Glenn was adequate though not outstanding. The part of Arturo, pitched as high as it is, sounds out of place amidst all the other powerful characters; he has the same handicap as Don Ottavio. But Michael Foreman certainly cut a dashing figure onstage.
The sets were nothing spectacular (two flanking “stained glass windows”, a mound of rocks in the background for the first and last scenes, and the requisite staircase for the wedding scene), but the costumes did catch my eye -- very well done. Stage direction left something to be desired: Kirk seemed to be at loose ends as to what to do with himself, which is certainly not characteristic of him. The program notes say that “Mark Foehringer makes his debut as stage director with this production,” so maybe we can be forgiving and hope for better his next time out.
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