Director
Nik Ashton
Conductor
Jeremy Silver
Designer
Jessica Curtis
Cast
Lucia
Anne-Sophie
Duprels
Edgardo
Philippe Do
Enrico
Mark Stone
Raimondo
Gerard O'Connor
Arturo
Christopher Saunders
Alisa
Carole Wilson
Normanno
Ashley Catling
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Lucia di Lamermoor
by Gaetano Donizetti
Holland Park Open Air Theatre
22 July - 9 August 2003
The ruins of Holland House make a suitably austere and multipurpose backdrop to Opera Holland Park's production of Lucia, an opera which in any case benefits from a simplicity of execution. Donizetti's opera, the most famous of a number of operatic adaptations of Scott's famous (though now little-read) novel, is the prime example of the Italian operatic romanticisation of Scotland as a mysterious northern land of strong emotions and the type of family vendetta that would appeal to any first-night Neapolitan audience.
The Scottish flavour is introduced with the entry of an energetic Ashley Catling as Normanno leading a tartan army of retainers – the Opera Holland Park Chorus who remained fullthroated and characterful throughout (aside from an oddly understated response preceding the famous Mad Scene, but perhaps they knew what was coming). The much-anticipated Lucia of the young French soprano Anne-Sophie Duprels had an impressive voice and it was easy to understand previous successes such as Susanna (Figaro) and Mimi (Boheme). Given that she has the notes and confidence, but sadly not the trills, for a Donizetti heroine there was certainly much to be enjoyed in her performance by an enthusiastic first-night audience. However, Duprels' portrayal of Lucia would have benefited from a greater shading of dynamics and attention to words. In the intial Regnava nel silenzio, for example, there was little sense of mystery, although she was excellent in portraying her joy in the anticipated meeting with her lover Edgardo. In the famous Mad Scene, Duprels made an impressive entrance, dropping her bloody dagger from the raised gallery onto the floor of the Hall below her. What followed was less elegant: a Lady Macbeth style washing of hands, which begged the question, combined with negotiation of steep steps in a long nightdress. Next came an over-choreographed scene of hyperactive insanity, medically possible but a distraction to the heart-rending impression that Lucia's mental anguish and delusions should provide.
As for the other principals, Philippe Do, a sensitive singer with a pleasant voice was clearly over-stretched as Edgardo and lacked presence. Mark Stone, in contrast, made a strong impression as Lucia's brother Enrico, giving a well-sung although sometimes unsubtle performance. Gerard O'Connor was a gravely-voiced Raimondo. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, whose residency has been such a benefit to Opera Holland Park generally played well under conductor Jeremy Silver, although on occasion (notably in the sextet) overall balance could have been better judged.
Clive Galliver
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