WITTEN IN HASTE, ENJOYED FOR CENTURIES

 Barbee Monk, Valérie Filloux, Elizaveta Kozlova, Stephen Steffens, Sarah Nelson Craft, Jason Adamo

Mozart's opera seria La Clemenza di Tito was "dashed off" in 1791 within weeks of its commission, to celebrate the coronation of Leopold II, Holy Roman Emperor, as King of Bavaria. (This commission was first offered to the more senior composer Antonio Salieri.) The libretto by court poet Caterino Mazzolà was edited from an original version by Metastasio which had been set numerous times. At the time, Mozart was actually in the middle of composing Die Zauberflöte and careful listening to the score reveals a number of similarities.

As centerpiece of its 25th season, Dell'Arte Opera Ensemble chose this treasure to present in an original reduction of the score by Maestro Chris Fecteau. We lack the time and energy to fulfill every request for a review and we pick and choose on the basis of our interest in the work, an opportunity to hear a singer we like, a recommendation by a friend or colleague, or our particular affection for the producing company.  It is often the case that we find ourselves more impressed in the viewing/hearing by a feature we weren't expecting. 

Our long term affection for Dell'Arte Opera Ensemble seemed reason enough to attend a Mozart opera that is not among our top four. To our delight, we heard elements of the score that were illuminated by Mo. Fecteau's reduction, elements that delighted the ear and impressed us with their effectiveness. We love vocal duets but what astonished us last night was the idea of a duet between a singer and an instrument, in this case mostly the clarinet. It was as if there were an invisible singer offstage in dialogue with the actual singer, one repeating an idea of the other, or advancing a complementary melody. We might say that our ears received the gift of an education, or a revelation.

The reduction of the score involved piano, violin, cello, and four winds--the aforementioned clarinet (played by Katie Curran), flute, bassoon, and French horn. There was a remarkable clarity in the voicing and we heard the score with fresh ears.

Metastasio's story features the titular Tito, a loving and generous ruler who puts the well being of his subjects ahead of his own desires. If Mozart chose to flatter the anointed Leopold we wouldn't be a bit surprised. We couldn't help fantasizing that our contemporary self-appointed "King" might change his ways if he deigned to visit a performance at the Kennedy Center! We wish!

Tito (tenor Stephen Steffens) casts aside his intended Beatrice because she is a foreigner (ahem!) and chooses a local lady, sister of his friend Sesto (mezzo-soprano Sarah Nelson Craft in travesti)  Unfortunately Servillia (soprano Elizaveta Kozlova) is in love with Annio (Valerie Filloux also in travesti) another one of his friends. With generosity of spirit, the magnanimous Tito wishes her well and turns his marital ambitions toward Vitellia (soprano Barbee Monk) who, unfortunately, has persuaded her most ardent admirer Sesto to murder Tito to avenge her father whom Tito had deposed.

The unlucky Sesto is weak-willed and easily manipulated by the vengeful Vitellia (although the lucky singer who sings Sesto gets to sing the memorable "Parto, parto") and the suspense is whether the loyal Sesto will betray her to save his life or will this narcissistic woman realize the error of her ways and tell Tito that she was the one who set the assassination plot in motion. If you want to learn what happens you will have to attend one of the upcoming performances on June 20th and 22nd. The sixth member of the able cast is Publio, sung by Jason Adamo.

We recommend the performance but we don't recommend reading the Director's Notes as Benjamin Spierman tries to mansplain why the innocent toga-clad Servillia (the kindest character in the opera) is sporting a black leather motorcycle jacket. Fortunately Vitellia's Ancient Rome attire is a propos and we will just assume that Costume Designer Eric Lamp was just trying to fulfill a directorial concept. Please don't ask us why there was a videographer wandering around from time to time with the results projected onto the walls!

The black box playing space is comfortable with raked seating along two sides of the box and the chamber orchestra along the third side. Again, let us praise the clear titles that are adequate in size and projected where every audience member can read them.

© meche kroop

MOZART'S FINAL OPERATIC OFFERING

Yeon Jung Lee and Marie-Gabrielle Arco (photo by Carol Rosegg)

La Clemenza di Tito is a rather static offering, hastily written by Mozart in 1791, as a commission to celebrate Leopold II's coronation as King of Bohemia.  This would explain why the eponymous Tito is portrayed as a marvelous ruler, beloved by his people, and possessed of all kinds of admirable qualities.  

Such a hero is not terribly interesting so we are fortunate that he is surrounded by all kinds of interesting characters. Librettist Caterino Mazzola adapted the story from a libretto by Metastasio. It must have been appealing because about 40 composers set the story before Mozart got his hands on it.

In a stunning production at the Manhattan School of Music, a brilliant cast of women brought these characters to vivid life. The direction by Dona D. Vaughn kept the action moving along and brought a great deal of intensity to the interaction of the characters, such that we "got" this opera for the first time.

Tito, as fine a character as he is, is not a lucky man. Beatrice Queen of Judea, his first love, is not Roman and he was obliged to give her up. He decides to marry the lovely Servilia, sister to his friend Sesto, but she confesses that her heart has been given to Annio, Sesto's friend.  With great magnanimity, Tito releases her as well. That leaves Vitellia who ain't too happy about being passed over so many times.

The backstory is that Tito's father dethroned Vitellia's father, so she feels entitled to the throne. She wants vengeance on Tito and persuades the lovesick Sesto to assassinate Tito. The plot is uncovered, Sesto is charged and convicted, Vitellia feels remorse and confesses her role as instigator, and the morally superior Tito forgives everyone and takes Vitellia as his consort.  Whew!

Women in pants roles can be difficult to accept when they are roundly shaped and have feminine gestures.  What a surprise to hear two sensational singers who are totally convincing in their roles. Statuesque mezzo-soprano Marie-Gabrielle Arco carried off the part of the lovesick Sesto and we doubt that we will ever hear that role so well acted and sung. 

To show desperate love for a rejecting woman without sounding wimpy is quite an achievement. The colors of the voice were perfectly employed, along with fine phrasing and clear Italian diction.  "Parto, parto", the most frequently sung aria extracted from this opera, was particularly well performed. Not every young singer who calls herself a mezzo has an instrument this richly textured.

The other mezzo-soprano was equally convincing. Alanna Fraize fulfilled all the demands of the role of Annio. She used her lovely voice well and portrayed a likeable character who is quite the optimist. He is reluctantly willing to give up his beloved Servilia when he believes she will be changed from his lover to his Empress.  His duet with her is a heartbreaking one--"Ah, perdona al primo affetto". The fact that we just wrote "he" would seem to highlight just how convincing SHE was! Her solo "Torna di Tito a lato" was absolutely thrilling.

Both sopranos in the cast were similarly outstanding.  In the role of the seductive and manipulative Vitellia, Yeon Jung Lee emphasized the strong core of her instrument to convey strength of will. At the end of the opera, Vitellia undergoes a change of character and Ms. Lee's strength of will is colored with remorse in her show-stopping aria "Non più di fiori".

As Servilia, Jianing Zhang sang with a pleasing tone. We particularly enjoyed her aria "S'altro che lagrime" as she tries to persuade Vitellia to take action to save Sesto, who has demonstrated his love for Vitellia by not betraying her role in the plot against Tito.

Although working against time, Mozart's magic managed to fill the opera with so many marvelous arias, duets, and ensembles that one could not keep track of them all.

The role of Publio was well sung by Liang Zhao and Wooyoung Yoon performed the role of the magnanimous Tito.

The chorus, directed by Miriam Charney was outstanding in their diction, as usual.

Under the baton of George Manahan, the Manhattan School of Music Opera Orchestra did a swell job. The overture did not anticipate the themes of the opera but sounded like the first movement of a symphony.  Special props to clarinetist Narek Arutyunyan for the solos.

The production itself was an eye-catching one. The costuming by Tracy Dorman was simply gorgeous and resembled our fantasies of Ancient Rome. The women of the chorus wore long floaty garments while Servilia was appropriately gowned in white with Vitellia in royal purple. The men were elaborately garbed with exactly what one might see in an epic film. Shins were guarded and spears were carried. But nary a chariot in sight!

Authentic looking wigs were designed by Dave Bova and J. Jared Janas.

Erhard Rom's set design was simple but effective--stone walls, Corinthian columns, a marble throne.  All was well lit by Tyler Micoleau who managed to suggest the flames of Rome burning.

It's a wonderful experience to acquire affection for an opera one had previously dismissed.  For this we credit Ms. Vaughn's direction and the superlative singing and playing. If only every opera going experience were this mind-changing!

(c) meche kroop

Addendum:  After three Mozart events in two days, we still wanted more! Like champagne, perhaps you can have too much Mozart but you can never get enough. We returned to hear the other cast in La Clemenza di Tito at Manhattan School of Music. Mezzo-soprano Hongni Wu, while not as physically imposing as Ms. Arco, sang the role of Sesto with gorgeous tone and impressive musicality, as well as dramatic intensity. Soprano Abigail Shapiro was outstanding as the fickle Vitellia and showed all the colors of the vocal rainbow in her final aria "Non più di fiori".  Tenor Philippe d'Esperance made a superb Tito--confident and affecting in his onstage presence and exhibiting a gorgeous tone. We are so glad we returned.  Whichever cast you heard, we are sure you had a thrilling experience.

EMERGING TALENT

The cast of "Arias to Die For"

Dell'Arte Opera Ensemble is celebrating its tenth anniversary season with two operas opening this week (more on that later) and also by honoring the talents of some promising young singers who were cast in smaller roles or as covers in the upcoming productions of Mozart's La clemenza di Tito and Monteverdi's L'incoronazione di Poppea.  What an abundance of talent we heard at last night's "Arias to Die For" at the intimate 13th St. Theatre.

The program was well chosen to highlight each performer and comprised some favorite well-known arias as well as some that are not often heard.  Many of the choices were highly ambitious.  Dell'Arte Opera Ensemble is well known for choosing promising young singers and nurturing their talent with seminars, coaching and master classes--then giving them the opportunity to perform a new role for a grateful public which appreciates the modest ticket prices and enjoys the opportunity of discovering a new voice.

Take for example the lovely rich mezzo of Milica Nikcevic who sang "Mura felici" from Rossini's La Donna del Lago and "Acerba voluttà" from Cilea's Adriana Lecouvreur.  This is a sizable voice that, with appropriate training, could offer the same thrills as that of Stephanie Blythe or Marilyn Horne.  As another example, take Edwin Vega whose sweet Italianate tenor was put to good use in the Italian Singer's aria from Strauss' Der Rosenkavalier.  We were delighted to be introduced to their special talents and hope to hear more of them.

The evening featured a number of light-voiced sopranos whose focused tone made them a pleasure to hear.  We particularly enjoyed Samarie Alicea-Feulien's "Caro Nome" from Verdi's Rigoletto; her voice and personal charm made that aria a perfect choice.  Anna Farysej's bright soprano was attractive in Mozart's "Padre, germani" from Idomeneo, as was Kathleen Jasinskas'in "Non si da follia maggiore" from Rossini's Il Turca in Italia.  Embellishments were well-negotiated and connection with the audience was evident.

Mezzo Heather Gerban had a lovely vibrato in "Che farò senza Euridice" from Gluck's Orpheo ed Euridice while mezzo Allison Waggener tackled "Smanie implacabili" from Mozart's Cosi fan Tutte.  Mezzo Heather Antonissen was convincing in "Se Romeo, t'uccise un figlio" from Bellini's I Capuleti ed i Montecchi.  Soprano Kristina Malinauskaite sang "Regnava nel silenzio" from Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor and a Tosti song "Sogno".

The male singers were equally interesting.  Tenor Charles Williamson sang "Deh miei bollenti spiriti" from Verdi's La Traviata with some lovely phrasing and a Donaudy song "Amorosi miei giorni".  Tenor Caleb Stokes focused on Puccini with "Ch'ella mi creda" from La Fanciulla del West as well as the despairing "Hai ben ragione" from Il Tabarro. Baritone Nicholas Connolly sang Silvio's aria from Leoncavallo's Pagliacci.  Bass-baritone Sanford Schimel certainly had the acting chops for "Il lacerato spirito" from Verdi's Simon Boccanegra; he ended on an impressive low note.  Tenor Nathan Létourneau got a nice hand for his performance of "Una furtiva lagrima" from Donizetti's L'Elisir d'Amore.

Maestri Christopher Fecteau and John Spencer IV did some fine accompanying on the piano.  May we add that each singer introduced his/her aria with a concise summary of the aria and its place in the opera.  This is welcome news for opera newbies which Dell'Arte does so well at bringing into the opera fold, and for those whose Italian is sub-par.  The entire evening had the flavor of a salon for friends, fans and family.  If your interest has been titillated, be sure to take a look at www.dellarteopera.org for performance dates.  You won't be disappointed!

© meche kroop