<<<  <<  -- 4 --  Maria Nockin    AN UNUSUAL PRODUCTION

For this performance, the opera might as well have been called Iago. Both vocally and histrionically, Mark Delavan was the strongest member of the cast. He was a full-blooded villain who sang with robust dark tones and appeared to glory in his wickedness. Ning Liang as his wife, Emilia, was sweet voiced and seemed easily controlled.

Derek Taylor, the excellent Rodolfo of Phoenix Metropolitan Opera's La bohème, was a smart Cassio whose handsome lyric voice carried over Verdi's complex orchestration. Eric Halfvarson was a commanding Lodovico, Ryan McKinney an energetic Montano and Gregory Warren a laudable Roderigo.

This was a rather unusual production with its somewhat abstract scenery but, musically, it was a passionate performance of a Verdi masterpiece.