The Opera Tattler

Reviews of Performances and their Audiences

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Wozzeck at Santa Fe Opera

  Wozzeck-act3* Notes *
Santa Fe Opera‘s revival of Wozzeck last Saturday was nothing short of impressive. The orchestra had a full and intense sound under David Robertson, only occasionally overwhelming the singers. Daniel Slater’s production has a fine, stark clarity. The Fool (played by Randall Bills) as Wozzeck’s double was artful. The set, designed by Robert Innes Hopkins, makes good use of the space, and is enhanced by Rick Fisher’s lighting. The scene changes were smooth. There were just a few moments when the humming of motors or the impact of edges against one another could be heard. The costumes, also from Hopkins, are smart and use an attractive palette of colors. The stylized choreography from John Carrafa is sharply defined and suits Berg’s music.

The singers were strong. The chorus was together and sounded almost strangely beautiful. Stuart Skelton was menacing as the Drum Major, yet his voice was appealingly warm and bright. Eric Owens was quite funny as the Doctor, with a rich, powerful sound. Robert Brubaker also made for a humorous Captain, his voice is pingy and cuts through the orchestration without being shrill. Nicola Beller Carbone (Marie) showed a range of emotions through her voice, her singing in Act III, Scene 1 was particularly lovely. Her physicality throughout the opera was admirable. Richard Paul Fink (pictured above in Act III, Scene 4, photograph by Ken Howard) gave a visceral and captivating performance as Wozzeck. Fink excels at Sprechstimme, and he inhabited the character completely.

* Tattling * 
It rained 30 minutes before the performance, and lightening was visible during the opera, but thunder was not noted. There was minor electronic noise in the form of watch alarms at 10pm. Standing room was not crowded. Some of the latecomers were audible, but not bothersome. I did have to use all of my powers of concentration to ignore the ushers whispering in the last five minutes of the opera.

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22 responses to “Wozzeck at Santa Fe Opera”

  1. Maritess Avatar
    Maritess

    Seems you enjoyed the opera. I like the way you relate the event.

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  2. Adam Avatar
    Adam

    How’s standing room in New Mexico? If one were inclined to take a budget trip down there, would the experience be a worthwhile one?

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  3. The Opera Tattler Avatar
    The Opera Tattler

    I was moved by the performance. Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment.

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  4. The Opera Tattler Avatar
    The Opera Tattler

    The standing places are comfortable, and it is nice to have the option of titles, there are screens at each spot. I think the trick is to get tickets in advance by phone, so that one isn’t surrounded by people who have never done standing room before and don’t understand how to behave. The acoustics aren’t bad, and because of the incline, one can see the conductor. Definitely was worthwhile and I hope to come back next season.

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  5. Susan Young Avatar
    Susan Young

    Excellent review, thanks. I wonder if we saw you there last night! I agree, a wonderful production. I thought the lightning show enhanced the gloomy, ominous atmosphere of the whole thing.

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  6. sfmike Avatar
    sfmike

    Volunteer ushers need to be seriously slapped into shape in way too many operatic venues since they are often the noisiest and least sensitive audience members around. The good ones are great, but the bad ones almost make me want to push old ladies down stairways.

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  7. Molly Avatar
    Molly

    I don’t think the ushers at the Santa Fe Opera are volunteers. A lot of them seem to be teenagers. Summer job?
    I went a couple of years ago and saw some great performances (Billy Budd!) but they were all marred by chattering ushers. During the performances they stood outside the theater doors, just behind standing room, chatting. I complained one night that their talking during the performance was very distracting. They looked at me like I was insane. The upshot is, if I go back to Santa Fe I will spring for a seat– far away from the doors.

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  8. Sacto OperaFan Avatar
    Sacto OperaFan

    I was under the impression that the ushers are drawn from the “interns” who work at the opera each season – they vary depending on if they are performing or not. When I was there last time, I could have sworn some of the chorus members from Traviata were handing out program for “The Letter.” Lots of the chorus members were young and attractive so I sort of remembered them.
    I love Santa Fe – the “opera house” is one of the most beautiful I’ve had the opportunity to attend. I hope to return soon.
    Cheers!

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  9. abc123 Avatar
    abc123

    The choristers at Santa Fe Opera do not work as ushers – they are all part of the competitive Apprentice Singer program. I should know, because I’ve done both. I was an usher at age 17 and an Apprentice Singer after spending the next eight years in intensive professional training. You have to be in the union in order to sing on that stage.
    That being said, I never talked when working as an usher – I did it when I was a teenager so I could watch as many operas as I could. I’m sorry if they bothered you.

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  10. Ken Tamagawa Avatar
    Ken Tamagawa

    Absolutely agree about the ushers. Can’t they shut the hell up and also stop clomping in and out and in front of the entrance door. Speaking of which, can’t they close the doors once the performance starts?

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  11. JD Avatar
    JD

    the doors can not be shut as air does not flow into the house well and many people in standroom get light headed and faint if we do.
    Noise polution comes mainly from patrons who arriving late, drinking too much on main patio or the highway. Sounds travels well here hence the reason for building the opera where it is.. It is difficult to keep all noise polution away from the doors.

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  12. Jen Avatar
    Jen

    Yep, the ushers are high schoolers with summer jobs. You are correct!

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  13. The Opera Tattler Avatar
    The Opera Tattler

    Thank you! Yes, that lightning was spectacular, but not distracting.

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  14. The Opera Tattler Avatar
    The Opera Tattler

    I just don’t understand why they are at the opera if they can’t be quiet for at least 90 minutes at a time.

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  15. The Opera Tattler Avatar
    The Opera Tattler

    It wasn’t bad until the very end, but since the opera was so great, it actually didn’t matter to me that much.

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  16. The Opera Tattler Avatar
    The Opera Tattler

    It was definitely a pair of usher talking in my case (wearing ponchos?), not latecomers, as it was the very end of the opera.

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  17. graustark Avatar
    graustark

    This was the Santa Fe Opera at its best. I never realized Wozzeck could be so funny. The performance I attended had the added comic attraction of two ladies storming out after Marie hiked up her dress and jumped on the Drum Major, causing many audience members to chuckle.

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  18. Mike Avatar
    Mike

    Nice review. A wonderful performance of Wozzeck on opening night 30 July. Ushers are one thing, but I think it is despicable that the Santa Fe Opera crowd can’t remain at their seats until after the applause at the end. It is such a dis to the performers and the performance.

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  19. The Opera Tattler Avatar
    The Opera Tattler

    Glad to hear that, and it makes me feel even luckier that I chose this opera to attend.

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  20. The Opera Tattler Avatar
    The Opera Tattler

    Thank you! It is too bad that people don’t wait until the applause is over to run off to their cars. Probably has to do with the rather late curtain time at Santa Fe Opera and the traffic getting out of the parking lot. Still, when performers have been singing and playing their hearts out, it is pretty sad that the audience can’t at least wait the 5 minutes for the ovation.

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  21. Elaine Avatar
    Elaine

    Music is so important in my life. Learning how to sing changed my attitude for the better. Music goes with everything. Opera is music for the advanced music lover. Just starting out? Learn how to sing and change your life.

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  22. Arian Avatar
    Arian

    Very interested article about this opera house.

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