Opera North is back in the city at Theatre Royal with an interesting mix for this season. Not only is there the revival Der Rosencavalier but also two Puccini one-act operas, Il tabarro and Suor Angelica, as well as Britten’s Billy Budd.
Last night we were treated to Richard Strauss’s Der Rosencavalier, a revival from Opera North’s new Music Director Alexander Markovic. This is a lavish production, both financially and artistically, in which they have succeeded in capturing the character of this masterpiece.
There are three Acts of more than an hour each, with two intervals, so four hours in total. The fact that this time passes so quickly is a great tribute to the company. It picks up pace after the first Act, which sets the scene for what follows and introduces us to The Marsschallin played by Swedish Soprano Ylva Kihlberg, Octavian, her teenage lover, who is disguised as a girl servant who she calls Quinquin, played by Australian Helen Sherman, along with Baron Ochs of Lerchenau played by Henry Waddington. These three soloists were all absolutely brilliant, drawing us into the Vienna of the mid-1700’s.
We meet, in Act Two, the Faninal family, the father, played by William Dazeley, who awaits the arrival of the boorish Baron Ochs who is to marry his beautiful daughter Sophie, played by FFlur Wyn. By tradition a rose is delivered to the bride, by Der Rosencavalier, who is Octavian in his normal guise.
As would be expected by the audience it is the young bride and Octavian who soon fall in love, leading to much of the comedy that ensues. Again the soloists are beyond criticism but so also are the remainder of the artists as well as the chorus.
Act three is set in a private room at an inn where Baron Ochs hopes to seduce Octavian who is back in his disguise as the Marshallin’s ‘female’ servant, Quinquin. The bellicose Baron’s best efforts are thwarted by mysterious interruptions and the he is subjected to several humorous hoaxes before the police commissar arrives demanding an explanation from the Baron. This leads to more humorous chaos before the Marschallin arrives and takes control. Although she is sad that her young lover has moved on she is happy for the young couple and withdraws, leaving them alone.
The Orchestra, conducted by Aleksandar Markovic, were superb throughout, the full orchestra was squeezed into the pit with an overflow into a side box, all on top form.
Opera North never disappoint. There are still tickets available starting at a bargain £15 for students upwards. Showing until Saturday 20th November.
www.trch.co.uk/whats-on/der-rosenkavalier/
Review by James Millichip
