United Kingdom Janáček, The Cunning Little Vixen: Soloists, Orchestra of Opera North / Andrew Gourley (conductor). The Lowry Theatre, Salford. 7.3.2023. (MC)
Sir David Pountney’s a lot admired staging of Janáček’s The Cunning Little Vixen was first given in 1980 for Scottish Opera. I discover that Opera North first staged Pountney’s Vixen in 1984. I didn’t attend Pountney’s authentic staging so I’m not certain simply how a lot modification has been undertaken by Elaine Tyler-Hall the revival director. Tyler-Hall commenced her profession as a dancer and sure the choreography, which is each excellent and appreciable, has been refreshed.
Designed by the late Maria Björnson the set and costumes stay a visible deal with of vivid color. Highly ingenious and fairy-tale like is the set of a hilly forest glade or grassy knoll that separates within the center to show at turns the Vixen’s underground den for elevating her fox cubs, a tavern and in addition the Forester’s residence. I like the way in which the varied animals got here alive and the way their particular person personalities had been imagined, together with these of the people too.
This is a wonderfully solid manufacturing by Opera North and there isn’t a weak hyperlink. Standing out from the handful of main roles was bass-baritone James Rutherford because the Forester. With his indubitable stage presence and assurance Rutherford sang magnificently all through. Conspicuous too was soprano Elin Pritchard such an attractive bundle of vitality who lit up the function of Vixen Sharp-Ears who comes throughout as consultant of womanliness and sexual want. In addition, Paul Nilon because the Schoolmaster and Henry Waddington because the Parson each gave convincing shows, and the viewers clearly relished the amusing antics of the cock and hens.
In view of main concern for environmental threats to the planet together with local weather change, world warming, acid rain, air air pollution, depletion of pure sources and deforestation the message I take from this staging of Vixen is the earth’s capability for regeneration and its capacity to adapt.
From his days as assistant conductor to Sir Mark Elder and the Hallé Orchestra, Andrew Gourley is a conductor who has at all times impressed me. Vixen marks Gourley’s Opera North debut manufacturing and the Orchestra of Opera North carried out with excellent sweep and even handed tempi producing orchestral taking part in virtually as vibrant because the set and costumes. Janáček’s rating requires quite a few solos, and I admired the adept contributions from the part principals. Importantly the often-boisterous quantity of the orchestra by no means drowned out the singers who had been singing in English. The Vixen textual content is Pountney’s personal translation and on events his alternative of phrases made me smile.
This profitable Opera North revival demonstrates that Pountney’s Vixen has clearly stood the take a look at of time and is a real deal with for the eyes and ears. Though there are some sorrowful, even distressing episodes general it’s one in all Janáček’s happiest works. I expertise this Vixen as an usually amusing and enchanting fairy-tale opera, and I can see why college matinee performances have been organized.
Michael Cookson
Production:
Director – Sir David Pountney
Revival Director – Elaine Tyler-Hall
Associate Director and Choreography – Elaine Tyler-Hall
Set and Costume design – Maria Björnson
Lighting designer – Nick Chelton
Cast:
Vixen Sharp-Ears – Elin Pritchard
Fox – Heather Lowe
Forester – James Rutherford
Schoolmaster – Paul Nilon
Parson – Henry Waddington
Poacher – Callum Thorpe
Dragonfly – Stefanos Dimoulas
Badger – Paul Gibson
Dog – James Davies
Forester’s Wife – Hazel Croft
Spirit of the Vixen – Lucy Burns
Innkeeper – Stuart Laing
Innkeeper’s Wife – Claire Pascoe
Mosquito – Kamil Bien
Cockerel – Campbell Russell
Chief Hen – Miranda Bevin
Owl – Sofia Livotov
Jay – Kathryn Stevens
Woodpecker – Kathryn Sharpe