Spain Puccini, Il trittico: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of the Gran Theatre del Liceu / Susanna Mälkki (conductor). Gran Theatre del Liceu, Barcelona, 1.12.2022. (JMI)
Production:
Director – Lotte de Beer
Sets – Bernhard Hammer
Costumes – Jorine van Beek
Lighting – Alex Brok
Casts:
Il tabarro
Giorgetta – Lise Davidsen
Luigi – Brandon Jovanovich
Michele – Ambrogio Maestri
Tinca – Pablo García-López
Talpa – Valeriano Lanchas
Frugola – Mireia Pintó
Suor Angelica
Suor Angelica – Ermonela Jaho
La Principessa – Daniela Barcellona
La Badessa – Maria Luisa Corbacho
Gianni Schicchi
Gianni Schicchi – Ambrogio Maestri
Lauretta – Ruth Iniesta
Rinuccio – Iván Ayón-Rivas
Simone – Stefano Palatchi
Zita – Daniela Barcellona
It has been 35 years for the reason that Liceu staged all three operas from Giacomo Puccini’s Il trittico on the identical day, though they’ve been finished individually over time. The efficiency I attended was a fantastic success, primarily based upon two elementary parts: excellent musical path and a very good vocal solid.
The manufacturing by Lotte De Beer originated at Munich’s Bayerische Staatsoper, the place it premiered in December 2017. I had the possibility to see it there twice and thought it was sensible – and I discovered it to be so on this event as nicely.
There is mainly one easy set for all three operas: a small house enclosed by curved partitions, with the motion going down within the entrance. Some parts make it clear that Il tabarro takes place on a barge, and the opera begins with the burial of Giorgetta and Michele’s son. Suor Angelica additionally begins with the burial of the protagonist’s son, which intensifies the confrontation between Suor Angelica and La Principessa; that is brilliantly resolved on the finish of the opera with the demise of Angelica. Finally, props are added to deliver Gianni Schicchi to life.
The costumes are engaging, particularly in Gianni Schicchi which takes place within the Middle Ages, and the lighting is efficient all through.
The Finnish conductor Susanna Mälkki was making her Barcelona debut, for me, she was the massive success of the night time, along with her cautious and exceptionally delicate, nuanced conducting, particularly in Il tabarro and Suor Angelica. She supplied a great studying in Schicchi, however I didn’t discover it to be on the stage of the primary two operas. In any case, it was a very memorable debut, and I hope that we will see her once more quickly on this pit. Under her baton, I discovered the Orchestra of the Gran Teatre del Liceu clearly improved, which is superb information.
Il tabarro
Giorgetta was sung by soprano Lise Davidsen, who has once more proven that few voices immediately are as essential as hers. Since her debut greater than 5 years in the past, she has attracted a lot consideration and is among the most sought-after sopranos, with good motive.
Brandon Jovanovich was Luigi, and his spinto tenor was well-suited to the character. His efficiency was not significantly sensible, however it was above what I had anticipated.
Michele was sung by baritone Ambrogio Maestri, who would later double as Gianni Schicchi. He has a sonorous and ample voice, well-suited to the half.
Suor Angelica
Ermonela Jaho triumphed as Suor Angelica in an thrilling efficiency. She is among the absolute best interpreters of the position immediately, if not the very best of all. Emotion is all the time current with this stupendous artist, and she or he had a notable success along with her ‘Senza mamma’.
La Principessa was mezzo-soprano Daniela Barcellona, whom we have now seen so many occasions in Rossini’s operas, however voices change with time. Here she gave an intense interpretation of the character in her confrontation with Suor Angelica.
Gianni Schicchi
The protagonist who offers title to the opera was performed by baritone Ambrogio Maestri, one of many few who sings each the intense and buffo roles. He shone right here in a profitable Schicchi.
The aria ‘O mio babbino caro’ sung by soprano Ruth Iniesta was good. She has an admirable voice, though it isn’t robust in quantity.
The impression left by tenor Iván Ayón Rivas as Rinuccio was first-rate. He has an interesting, light-lyric voice and sang the aria devoted to Firenze with gusto and expressiveness. It was a great debut in the home.
Jose M. Irurzun