Chelsea Opera's Covers with Priore Light up
Last night I attended the Chelsea Operas "One Night Only...Covers Take Center Stage." It was an eclectic selection of operatic classics from Verdi to Gershwin. The selection of Arias, duets, trios and even a fully company piece (Aaron Coplands The Tender Land) provided an engaging and entertaining show for the audience and a great opportunity for each of the talented singers to show their musical prowess and versatility.
I was very impressed with all the members of the production. Sopranos Ellen Turi and LaToya Lewis were paired multiple times with bass-baritone Lawrence Long. From their first appearance as a trio in selections from Rossinis "La Cenerentola" through their performance at the end of the night on sections from Mozarts "Die Zauberflote," the three singers possessed great chemistry and consistently worked well together, even when not singing. All three performers had wonderful presence and engaged the audience fully. They were clearly having fun on stage and showed it.
In an intimate setting such as The New Church (114 East 35th Street), it was important that all the performers show their enjoyment and love for the music. Every performer on stage was able to not only sing with great precision in a variety of languages and styles, but also to make it clear to the audience what they were trying to express with every song. In their duet from "Le nozze di Figaro" Turi and mezzo soprano Joanna Dionis used the space of the church to their full advantage; launching into the audience upon exiting and running off stage in full character. They actively engaged their audience and interacted with each other on a playful level, while still attaining the precision that any opera lover would expect from high caliber opera artists.
Every member of this ensemble had a chance to shine with the wide selection of music, however it was guest artist and co-founder of The Chelsea Opera, Leonarda Priore that stole the show with her duet with tenor John Short on Verdis "Il Trovatore." Priore came on stage with a presence big enough to fill a theater many times the size of the church, but with a great sense of the space she had to work with. She so clearly enjoyed herself up there that no one in the audience could take their eyes off of her. She acted the part wonderfully and with great understanding of the demanding part she was singing. She performed the part with the effortless grace of a seasoned professional. She used dynamics wonderfully, and really focused on giving her partner, Short, what he needed for his role too. Priore was truly glorious, and my only problem with her was that we did not get to see more of her throughout the night.
The Chelsea Operas "One Night Only...Covers Take Center Stage," was a great example of what opera should be. It was accessible for all, from those not as experienced with opera, to the opera connoisseur looking for a relaxing community feel and to experience great performers who are happy to showcase amazing music. The next opportunity to see a full production of theirs is going to be their June production of "Suor Angelica." This will be a great opportunity to see Priore reprise her role of La Zia Principessa. I highly recommend that anyone, whether a newcomer to opera or a seasoned patron, go see this. Priore and the rest of the cast are sure to put on a high caliber show that will enthrall and engage any audience.
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Reply #1 on : Sat July 09, 2011, 00:56:14