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Turn down the lights and switch on your imagination for a dark and stormy night with opera’s master storyteller, Guiseppe Verdi.
Macbeth is a rough brew of the psychological, political and supernatural. When witches predict a great future for Macbeth he is shocked, but his wife is elated and wants to hasten fate along. One murder turns into many as the power couple become pawns of ambition, embroiled in their own plot.
Canadian Rene Richard Cyr directs a striking new production with two remarkable singers as Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Peter Coleman-Wright and Elizabeth Whitehouse make their role debuts in this electrifying drama, where Verdi’s spine-tingling choruses giving way to intimate arias and darkest tragedy.
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The production was wonderful as well as the music. The singing was superb.The singers really interpreted the characters well. Lady Macbeth is the schemer. Macbeth, while aspiring to greatness hasn't got "the balls" to go through with it without her encouragement. While the witches prophecies might have come true in the normal course of events, Lady Macbeth was going to make sure that the prophecies were fulfilled.The opera captured all the drama of the piece.
ReplyDeleteWe saw the 15 September show and loved the orchestra and the singing. Peter Coleman-Wright has a terrific voice - strong when it needs to be, yet very controlled - & Elizabeth Whitehouse is very strong, most suitable for the role. Daniel Sumegi as Banquo has a great bass voice. However, we found the staging disappointing. Apart from the chorus of witches, the movement and action was very limited throughout. The acting of the leads after the murder of Malcolm added nothing to the dramatic effect, the death of Banquo was weak, and the fight scene near the end was so poor as to be comic. The static effect of the staging suggested a concert performance could have served better. A pity, as the singing and music provided the basis for wonderful theatre.
ReplyDeleteI saw Macbeth on Thursday 15 September. Verdi is my favourite opera composer and the production of this Verdi opera, that I had not seen before, was so good that I am seeing it again next Saturday 8 October. What higher praise can I give it! In spite of my efforts to economy my love of the production meant I had to see it again. I knew Shakespeare’s Macbeth well as I had studied it at school. It was fascinating to see on the surtitles the words of Shakespeare’s Macbeth while the arias and costumes were so Italian. I particularly loved the grand choruses and thought the set was very effective in stimulating the imagination.
ReplyDeleteHelen Roberts hproberts5@gmail.com
I saw Macbeth on Thursday 15 September. Verdi is my favourite opera composer and the production of this Verdi opera, that I had not seen before, was so good that I am seeing it again next Saturday 8 October. What higher praise can I give it! In spite of my efforts to economy my love of the production meant I had to see it again. I knew Shakespeare’s Macbeth well as I had studied it at school. It was fascinating to see on the surtitles the words of Shakespeare’s Macbeth while the arias and costumes were so Italian. I particularly loved the grand choruses and thought the set was very effective in stimulating the imagination.
ReplyDeleteHelen Roberts hproberts5@gmail.com
Saturday 8th.
ReplyDeleteRight from the start as the orchestra struck up I could sense that this was going to be a truly absorbing opera.
I wasn't let down.
Verdi's dark tragedy has been superbly directed by Canadian Rene Richard Cyr.
The set design & lighting was brilliant creating just the right atmosphere for the political & supernatural events.
The chorus was spellbinding, their voices rich & full.
Elizabeth Whitehouse was perfect in her role as Lady Macbeth.
I was brought to tears when Peter Coleman Wright
sang his aria in Act 1v.
Rosario La Spina has surely got to be the next Pavarotti.
If this review sounds over the top & flowery I meant it to be.
I wanted this opera to keep going.
I came away feeling exhilerated.
Good on you Opera Australia.
Jill Johnson jill2809@gmail.com
Saturday 8th October.
ReplyDeleteMy afternoon started with the pre opera talk given by Sally Blackwood. Her insights and explanations made my experience of Macbeth even more worthwhile. I know I would not have understood the chorus of witches without Sally.
Elizabeth Whitehouse never disappoints but yesterday she exceeded my expectations, she has to be the perfect Lady Macbeth both as an actor and singer and Teresa La Rocca has a voice to match: what a great pairing.
Peter Coleman-Wright did not sound as he usually does but he made up for this with his passion and his acting.
Rosario La Spina and Stephen Smith were truly rousing in their duet in Act 4 and Daniel Sumegi was a wonderful Banquo, the timbre of his voice is really impressive.
What a delight was the young boy who played Fleance, his demeanour at the end of the opera was lovely and he got a delighted laugh from the audience.
The set and the costumes added to my enjoyment of a wonderful performance by all and a special mention should be made of the clarinetist: bravo!
Suzan Aslin suzanaslin@optusnet.com.au
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ReplyDelete