<<<  <<  -- 3 --  Maria Nockin    A TRIP TO HEAVEN  --  >>  >>>

On 22 March 2008, San Diego Opera presented a new realistic production of the Mascagni and Leoncavallo double bill directed by former San Francisco and Canadian Opera General Director, Lotfi Mansouri. John Coyne's scenic designs gave us a group of dark grey buildings closely grouped around a town square for Cavalleria and a more spacious small town setting for the open air play-within-a-play that provides the finale for Pagliacci. The costumes by Ed Kotanen placed the action firmly in Southern Italy at the beginning of the twentieth century.

Richard Leech was a self important Turiddu who had no respect for the marriage of Alfio and Lola and even less concern for the plight of his one-time lover, Santuzza. He sang with a wide vibrato, but interpretively, he explored all the facets of this negative role.

As Santuzza, Carter Scott's voice soared over the orchestra with unwavering burnished sound. She, too, is a consummate dramatic actress and she presented an emotionally direct interpretation that made her character memorable.

Continue >>