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Jay Hunter Morris, the Friday night Erik, sang with artful phrasing and unwavering tones as he explored the physical facets of his role. The next night's Erik was Jason Collins who sang with ringing, rather Italianate tones as he gave a credible portrayal of one of the seaside village's few hunters.

On Friday night, bass Gustav Andreassen played Daland as a money hungry father willing to offer his daughter to the highest bidder. He sang with a distinctively dark, dramatic sound. Bass-baritone Peter Strummer's interpretation on Saturday was far lighter, more detailed and more congenial. His singing was powerful and confident as he portrayed the self-possessed seaman, owner of his boat and his destiny.

Julian Reed's chorus started off slowly on Friday but ended up giving a committed performance. Saturday's choral work was smooth all the way through. Conductor Joel Revzen chose spirited tempi, eliciting accurate, expansively romantic playing from the musicians in the pit on both evenings. Friday night's rendition was close to perfection. Revzen was always mindful of the varying needs of his singers and, as a result of his expertise, each performance sizzled with excitement.