Guest on Sofa: Gabriela Harvey - Donna del Lago at the MET

 

Joyce DiDonato
 Photo: Ken Howard/ MET

The recent production of “Donna Del Lago,” (the run ending last Saturday) was all about the singing. I saw the Saturday February 28^th, 2015 performance. In spite of the opera’s convoluted story line, I suspect it was revived because there is a cadre of available singers who could tackle the ‘bel canto’ challenge.

In the Andrea Leone Tottola libretto, based on Sir Walter Scott’s Lady of the Lake, Elena is promised to Rodrigo Di Dhu (John Osborn) a Highland Clan warrior. She in turn is in love with Malcolm Groeme (Daniela Barcellona). Elena’s Father Duglas D’Angus (Oren Gradus) is an enemy of King James, who disguised as ‘Uberto” is also taken with Elena. Scotland becomes embroiled in a war between the Highlanders and the Loyalists. Rodrigo is killed in battle, and Elena’s father is captured by the King’s Loyalist forces. Although now an enemy, Elena’s Father was once the King’s tutor. Meanwhile Elena, protected by a ring that King James (disguised as the suitor “Uberto”) has given her as an assurance of his loyalty and providing access to the “King,” hopes to convince the King to spare the life of her Father and Malcolm (who also arrives looking for her).  King James reveals his true identity, accepts Elena’s love for another, and pardons both Duglas and Malcolm. All ends well…

Much has been written about the staging by the Scottish director Paul Curran, the lackluster scenery, which worked at the outdoor Santa Fe Opera (where this production of the opera was staged previously) but alas not at the Metropolitan… All I can say is that I thought it benign and for me it did not get in the way. One comment, it was often difficult to distinguish the soloists from the chorus, often crowding the stage with nothing to do.

This production stars opera superstar Joyce DiDonato, a recent darling of the NYC Metropolitan Opera and Carnegie Hall. (DiDonato concludes Her Carnegie Hall Perspectives Series with The Philadelphia Orchestra this Wednesday, March 18^th. The concert features a program of ‘bel canto’ arias). An aside: on November 4, 2014 I attended her “A Journey Through Venice” Carnegie Hall concert. She was brilliant!

Opposite her in Donna Del Lago was her co-star from last year’s Met production of “Cenerentola”: Juan Diego Flórez, in the role of Uberto, as the disguised King James V of Scotland. Juan Diego Flórez whose voice I think occasionally has a strained (pinched?) edge, stood up to the challenge. He certainly looked the part. I loved the form fitting leather suit he sported while meeting Elena for the first time. The coloratura aria “Oh fiamma soave “ was masterfully executed! A wonderful performance throughout! He did not disappoint. Bravo!

Osborn’s Rodrigo, a smooth, deep, pleasing tenor (one I found myself at times preferring to the voice of Flórez), was good enough, he certainly stood up to challenge of Act II’s “No! Piu non so frenarmi” and his “Ma dov'e colei che accende.” Solid singer!

Daniela Barcellona sang Malcolm Graeme, a part written for a contralto. Despite her less than attractive costume, wig and facial hair she was convincing in her role as Elena’s love interest and her’s was an especially wrenching rendition of the Act II aria “Ah! si pera,” when Malcolm, convinced that Elena is about to marry Uberto, wants to die.

Oren Gradus as Elena’s Father, Olga Makarina as Elena’s confidant  and Gregory Schmidt as Bertram, a servant at the Court Of King James completed the stellar cast.

The young and a rising star conductor, Michele Mariotti kept a lively tempo, being careful not to hurry or drown out the singers.

But at the end, this opera was all about Joyce DiDonato. She was perfect, beginning with the beautiful “O mattutini albori”, never faulting throughout and ending with the breathtaking, almost impossible for others “Tanti affetti,” the closing aria.

She looked the part, she acted the part, she owned the part. That evening she was a perfect singer, fearless, her voice soaring high, confident, effortless perfection! Those of us who were there will never forget her performance!

Juan Diego Flórez
Photo: Ken Howard/ MET