Spain Purcell, Dido and Aeneas: Soloists, Les Arts Florissants / William Christie (conductor). Teatros del Canal, Madrid, 21.1.2023. (JMI)
Production:
Stage path and Choreography – Blanca Li
Sets and Costumes – Evi Keller
Lighting – Caty Olive
Cast:
Dido – Lea Desandre
Aeneas / Sorceress – Renato Dolcini
Belinda – Ana Vieira Leite
First Sorceress – Laura Lodge-CampbellSecond Sorceress / Second Woman – Virginie Thomas
Spirit – Michael Loughlin Smith
This Henry Purcell work was placed on in Madrid in 2019 on the Teatro Real, which can also be concerned within the manufacturing of the opera at Teatros del Canal. Dido and Aeneas is the one true opera Purcell composed – the others are extra like semi-operas. Every time I hear it, I come to the conclusion that he is likely one of the best geniuses within the historical past of music, and one can solely remorse that he doesn’t have a bigger catalogue of operas. It is an genuine masterpiece, one which leaves an unforgettable reminiscence with the aficionado when listened to within the correct situations, which occurred on this event.
The opera’s premiere was in 1689, and the extra that I see it, the extra it surprises me. I discover it unbelievable that Henry Purcell might make music so recent, so impressed, and – why not – so fashionable earlier than the top of the seventeenth century. It is a pity that the work is seldom carried out in Spain.
If, when carried out on the Teatro Real, dance (though in an aquatic type) performed an amazing function, now dance is absolutely the protagonist of this new staging by Blanca Li, a choreographer by career and the present director of Teatros del Canal. The orchestra is situated on the left of the stage, which leaves a large area for the dancers. The entrance half is roofed with water to facilitate the dancers’ actions.
The principal singers are virtually motionless, positioned on columns that are moved by extras. For me, this makes the plot much less dramatic as these in main roles reply nearly fully to the dancers, which is considerably extreme.
The musical interpretation was by William Christie and his Arts Florissants, they usually proved once more that they’ve virtually no rival in this kind of Baroque and pre-Baroque opera. Christie performed from the harpsichord, and we might actually take pleasure in his completely fantastic studying.
Queen Dido was sung by mezzo-soprano Lea Desandre, whom I used to be seeing for the primary time. She is intently linked to Les Arts Florissants and gave an excellent vocal efficiency, however it’s a pity that we didn’t get to observe her transfer in regards to the stage.
Baritone Renato Dolcini as Aeneas has a powerful voice and was good within the function. He doubled because the Sorceress, which was not wholly convincing. The significance of the scene was neglected – there may be not even a change of costumes from Aeneas to the Sorceress.
Soprano Ana Vieira Leite has a beautiful voice and was a superb Belinda. The remainder of the characters have been appropriately interpreted.
Jose M. Irurzun