<<  -- 4 --  Maria Nockin    SOMEWHAT CONTROVERSIAL

The curtain rose on post World War II Seville. Neil Patel's scenery was attractive and functional, but Kersti Vitali Rudolfsson's costumes were rather plain. Stage director Lars Rudolfson kept the plot moving to its inevitable conclusion and allowed the singers to create recognizable characters.

Anne Sofie von Otter was a lyrical, rather tame Spanish gypsy. Her French diction was excellent and she created a believable character who was very different and much more vulnerable than the one most opera goers have in mind. As Don José, William Joyner was a rough sounding, intense lover who gave a forceful portrayal of his role.

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