Macbeth

After their 50th anniversary production of Verdi’s “La Traviata” last year, the company took the brave decision to perform Verdi’s challenging “Macbeth” – a challenge they rose to magnificently under the superb directorial team of Richard Johnston and Alan Borthwick. The simple, sombre staging and atmospheric lighting set the tone for the murderous deeds to follow perfectly. Alister Allan’s portrayal of Macbeth as a decent man brought down by the aspirations of his strong willed wife, was sensitively portrayed as shown in his aria “Compassion, honour, love” in Act 4. Frances Taylor as Lady Macbeth gave a powerful performance in portraying the character’s fall from scheming noblewoman to madness. Her strong soprano voice equally at home in the light-hearted brindisi “Fill up the Cup” and in the tragic “Yet here’s a spot” in the sleep walking scene in Act 4. Piran Legg made a striking Banquo and his rich bass voice was superb - shown to its best for me in his solo “O, how the darkness falls from heaven”. Michael Doroszenko gave a strong performance as Macduff – his tenor voice pulling at the heart strings in “Ah, the paternal hand”. Strong support was given by Paul McKay (Malcolm), Struan Davidson (Physician) and Flora Caldwell (Lady-in-Waiting). The chorus singing was excellent throughout and was particularly rousing in the closing hymn to victory “Hail, oh King”. The 20 piece orchestra, under the careful baton of Richard Johnston, played beautifully and sensitively so that never once did they overpower the singers. Congratulations to all at Tayside Opera.

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