No 41 -- Spring 1994 Edited by Michael Walters
It was an unusual choice for an amateur company, containing as it does only 3 leading roles and very little for the chorus. Basically, the production stands or falls by its three leading singers, particularly the soprano. Here it worked. There were finely emotional performances from Fiammetta Doria (Violetta) Alberto Janelli (Alfredo) and Stephen Brice (Germont), the cast which I saw. [Alberto Janelli sang Paolino in Cimaroso's THE SECRET MARRIAGE at the Royal Northern College of Music in April 1994]. During the orchestral prelude, the curtain rose on a spectral Violetta standing in her chamber with everything covered by dust sheets while a bailiff came came in to assess the value of her effects. A beautiful idea. Then the sheets were whipped away, the chorus entered and the room was transformed into the glitter of Violetta's party. The Act 1 set was in scarlet and gold; Flora's party in a room basically the same but subtly transformed to be dressed basically in blue and white. The country scene was outside in the garden, with added trees. For the last scene we were back in Violetta's scarlet and gold room, but again covered with dust sheets. The sets and costumes were sumptuous, and Cecil Hayter's production superb. The orchestra seemed ragged in places, but it would have been unreasonable to expect Covent Garden standard. The three leading singers were professionals, probably no amateur would have the stamina for a role the length of Violetta. Of the smaller roles Juliet McCoid (Flora) was low on volume, the other parts were quite adequately taken, though perhps Colin Davis smiled a little too happily as the Doctor.
MICHAEL WALTERS
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