‘VIVA L’OPERA’- virtual operatic series – Review by Albert G. Storace
Gaulitana: a Festival of Music produced a series three videos of excerpts from three well-known operas. The shooting was in various suggestive locations in different parts of Gozo. The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra is conducted by Colin Attard. The singers are all active in the Maltese Islands and beyond. The different scenes are directed by Denise Mulholland.
The series features scenes from Verdi’s Il Trovatore (1853), Donizetti’s L’Elisir d’Amore (1832) and Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci (1892). The series provides a little insight into a dark, late medieval Verdian tragedy; the brilliance of a much-loved and durable comic opera by Donizetti; and finally the tragedy of a play within play set to music by Leoncavallo. It is based on a true story and is a beacon of “verismo” in Italian opera.
‘Il Trovatore’
The formidable alto Graziella De Battista, sings Azucena’s Stride la vampa with an authoritative clarity. She conveys the horror and shock as she recalls the burning of her mother at the stake as a witch. In the following scene Leonora (soprano Andriana Yordanova) is in the castle grounds accompanied by her attendant Iñes, (soprano Stephanie Portelli). Leonora is in an expectant and hopeful mood as she tells Iñes of the mysterious knight (troubadour) who serenades her and calls her name. She already feels that she is in love with him. All this unfolds very well with singer’s great skill as a singing-actress in Tacea la notte placida and concluding with a climactic caballetta.
Fort Chambray serves as an excellent location, the singers, photography, technical crew, Colin Attard’s musical direction of and delivery by the MPO, plus action directed by Denise Mulholland have created a praiseworthy start to the series.
‘L’Elisir d’Amore’
The second opera in this series is one of great charm and pathos. Nemorino (tenor) Cliff Zammit Stevens is a gentle soul but not exactly the idiot he believes himself to be. He casts loving eyes at Adina (soprano Nicola Said) as he sings Quanto è bella, quanto è cara. Later he muses upon what he thinks is an unrequited love and a sometimes prickly duet ensues between the two characters (Esulti pur la barbara!) Later still when on her own Adina realises that after all she does love Nemorino, and in a final duet they live happily ever after. Nicola Said and Cliff Zammit Stevens are an ideal pairing this video. They interact very well and sing and act on top form. The location was another excellent choice, taking place within the well-known ta’ Kola windmill in Ix-Xaghra. The action unfolds in various parts of the very authentic interior. Unfortunately there could be no external filming on the chosen day because it was very windy. The orchestra was again on splendid form and as a brief interlude performed the (tantalising) longish prelude to Una furtiva lagrima to bridge the gap before the final duet.
‘Pagliacci’
This video clip of excerpts from Pagliacci is another pearl in the necklace of Viva l’Opera, and, other ventures in this form which you have created.
Both singers in excerpts from this immortal work are a credit to their profession. Louis Andrew Cassar in the Prologue sung by Tonio is on top form: authoritative but also human, a real life character. This is, after all, “verismo”.
I could say the same of Gillian Zammit who handles her role of Nedda so very well. Her anxiety is well projected in “Qual fiamma area al guardo” as she feels Tonio’s passionately leering glances. Yet she bursts out in a song of freedom and hope, inspired by the happy chirping of birds “Stridono lassù”.
All this is held together by a superbly directed Malta Philharmonic Ochestra which later takes centre stage as the Intermezzo concludes the video.
The location at the Sacred Heart Seminary in Victoria, Gozo, lent itself well to this sequence. Denise Mulholland’s vibrant artistic direction is also to be credited, as is the photography. There were the right ingredients and team work to score yet another success.
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