Gianni Schicchi & Cavalleria Rusticana

Gianni Schicchi by Giacomo Puccini was the composer’s only comic opera, loosely based on a passage from Dante’s “Inferno”, and premiered in New York in 1918. A brief (very brief!) synopsis of the opera is given in a Classic FM article as:  “Depicting the life of a scheming yet ingenious peasant who tries to cash in on an old man’s vulnerability by changing his will and securing a pay-off for his daughter’s wedding!”

In this Fife Opera production, five of the principals were double cast, however, at this performance the title role was extravagantly portrayed by Ivor Klayman (at the other performance by George Nairne). Ivor provided a masterclass in diction, not always the case with other principals this afternoon. Consideration might be given to subtitles in future performances. A beautiful performance as Schicchi’s daughter Lauretta, fell to Lauren McKinney today (doubling with Zara Wardrop). Her performance of arguably the best-known aria in the opera, “O my beloved father”, must surely be the highlight of the opera. Other principals deserve mention, particularly Venezuelan tenor, Sebastian A Penalver Figueredo as Rinuccio:  Louise Martyn as Gherardo’s wife Nella (doubling with Laura Curren), and also Hanna de Bruin (doubling with Frances Taylor) as Marco’s wife La Ciesca. Finally, I must make mention, for comedic value, of Pat Fraser playing the cook Guccia, emphasising that this was, indeed, a comic opera!

On direction,  perhaps some programme notes by Eleanor Felton explaining the use of white painted faces by the cast, would have given more reason for this unusual artistry.

Musical Direction by Alistair Digges was completely sound – more in the following review of Cavalleria Rusticana.

Cavalleria Rusticana by Pietro Mascagni premiered in Rome in 1890 in the presence of Queen Margherita, notably to barely a half full house. Thankfully, Fife Opera deservedly achieved considerably more than a “half full house” today. Reset from a 19th century Sicilian Village to present day Kirkcaldy Town Centre, the transformation works well, given a simplified set of the Merkat Cross surrounded by four stone blocks. Eleanor Felton’s direction makes full use of the areas mentioned, including as a resting place for Turiddu’s lifeless body at the final curtain. Turridu (Ian McBain)  brings evident operatic skills to the part, as does Russell Malcolm as Alfio – he who finally kills Turridu. It is not in my nature to single out one particular character for praise, but, this time, I do not apologise for naming a “Player of the Match”, and it is Virginia Lafean who sang and acted magnificently in the role of Santuzza. The role was double cast with Fiona Galloway. This afternoon, however, Virginia reached even greater heights with her solo in the magnificent Easter Hymn, in which the Fife Opera chorus also excelled. Santuzza’s solo in the Easter Hymn was only outshone by her aria following, in which she tells Turiddu’s mother how he has abandoned her and gone back to Lola (Aixin He).

All in all, a fine afternoon of opera of a very high standard. Congratulations in no small way to MD Alistair Digges and his twenty-four piece orchestra, who were as one with the singers from the start.   

Looking forward to hearing what Fife Opera choose to perform next year!

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