TOSCA | STAGE REVIEW
I can’t speak for opera experts but I can certainly attest that the Welsh National Opera’s rendition of Tosca is a fantastic show for losing your opera virginity.
At first I was a bit apprehensive about going to the opera. I had never been before and, though I knew it was a stereotype, I had visions of top hats and music that drifts between dreary and horrifically tense. I was, however, hooked from the first note.
The curtain rose to a beautiful, warmly lit set that that brought the audience straight into a 19th century Roman church. Strong and tense music begins to play as escaped political prisoner Angelotti runs in the door and hides. From that first spine-chilling note you are sucked into an energetic plot, surprisingly relatable characters and gorgeous music.
The cast was a strong one and truly brought the opera to life. Tosca’s lover Mario Cavaradossi, played by Gwyn Hughes Jones, put soft emotion into the strongest of notes and his operatic wails of torture were almost heart-stopping.
Iago-esc villain Baron Scarpia, Claudio Otelli, was a pure baddy and had the voice to prove it. I particular enjoyed Otelli’s long deep notes as he belted out his plans of sexually deviancy, all in front of the Pope’s procession.
During the first act I was a little unsure of leading lady Mary Elizabeth Williams, who performed as jealous lover Tosca. Though undoubtedly a supreme singer it was Williams’ attempt to switch from an angry green-eyed lover and a passionate soul-mate that sometimes felt a bit inelegant. In the second act, however, Williams’ portrayal of Tosca astounded. You could feel her suffering, her anger and her passion in every single note and I found myself breathless listening to her more than once.
As an opera novice I can’t say if this was a particularly different or special rendition of Tosca, but beautiful staging, perfect casting and excellent music enthralled me and you will certainly see me in the Welsh National Opera’s audience again.
words: HEATHER ARNOLD
Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff, Sat 28 Sept – Thurs 3 Oct. Tickets: £12 – £40. Info: 029 2063 6464 / www.wmc.org.uk
Swansea Grand Theatre, Swansea, Tues 8 Oct – Tues 12 Oct.Tickets: £20 – £35. Info: 01792 475715 / www.swanseagrand.co.uk