The Opera Tattler

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SF Opera’s Norma (Thomas)

Norma-acti-2014-sfopera* Notes * 
The fifth performance of San Francisco Opera‘s new production of Norma was held yesterday. This was the third go with tenor Russell Thomas replacing Marco Berti. I also heard that as of the Friday, September 19th performance, Sondra Radvanovsky (pictured as Norma with the chorus in Act I, photograph by Cory Weaver) and Jamie Barton (Adalgisa) were singing in the original, higher key. Again, the orchestra sounded wonderful under the direction of Maestro Nicola Luisotti. The woodwinds played well, and the horns were particularly good at the end of Act II, Scene 9. The chorus also was lovely and sounded unified.

As Pollione, Russell Thomas has a bright, pretty sound. He certainly is a better vocal match for the talented female leads and sings with much more ease than his predecessor. His voice contrasts well with tenor A.J. Glueckert’s brassy Flavio. Thomas sounds more reed-like, Glueckert more metallic.

Jamie Barton sang a potent Adalgisa, the higher notes did not seem to be an issue for her at all. Sondra Radvanovsky sounded brilliant in the title role, her approach is nuanced and simply gorgeous. Her “Casta Diva” was lustrous and the Act I finale was sublime.

* Tattling * 
The railings in standing room on the balcony level were all taken. A family of four was late, and one of the daughters spoke at full-volume, garnishing her a hushing from a standee.

Note that I was reading the score for this performance, so only heard the music. Looking forward to seeing it again, as there are two more shows.

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3 responses to “SF Opera’s Norma (Thomas)”

  1. Sacto OperaFan Avatar
    Sacto OperaFan

    I was lucky to be at Saturday’s, 09/27, performance. This was my first exposure to a complete live Norma. There was much to praise.
    The Rad has a large flexible voice, more in the mode of Maria Callas than Joan Sutherland. I don’t consider her voice to be beautiful, but it was expressive for the most part. I think with time her performance will deepen and she will make more use of the text. I found parts of her voice to have a wide vibrato which I hope was just off notes and not developing into a problem. Norma is a long part with difficult music.
    Jamie Barton, on the other hand, has a beautiful voice. It seems to me to be a column of sound – beautiful throughout the range. I did not think it was overly loud, but you certainly can hear her. What I liked most was there seem to be no wide vibrato – aka wobble in any of her singing. I look forward to hearing her again and again for many years to come. It will be interesting to see what kinds of roles she adds to her repertoire. I don’t hear the big Verdi mezzo roles in her voice, and I can’t imagine her in Carmen. Of course, this may all change in a few years.
    I was not looking forward to seeing Marco Berti whom I had seen/heard several times before; so I was thrilled when Russell Thomas was announced. I was not familiar with him, but when I read the reviews, I was even more excited. Overall, I thought he was good; but some of his phrases got drowned out by the orchestra. Good sound and I believe he has what they call a ping to his voice.
    I actually liked AJ Gluekert’s, Adler Fellow, voice better. But his participation was limited. I just liked his sound better. I was disappointed he didn’t take a bow at the end of the opera.
    Finally, Christian Van Horn, Oroveso, was equally excellent. On Saturday I thought he took a while to warm up, but by Act II, he was letting it rip. He also got louder.
    Overall, everything clicked. Principals were, I think the finest cast of Norma that can be put together in a Opera House anywhere. The chorus was as excellent, as to be expected from SFO. The guys sang exquisitely in Act II. The Orchestra led by Luiscotti was very fine. A fine NIGHT at the opera.
    Hope you all got/get to see this incredible cast before the end of the run. Ugly sets, but I’ve seen worse. I don’t understand why Directors move the time period if there is no apparent reason to help one understand the opera better.

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  2. The Opera Tattler Avatar
    The Opera Tattler

    Excellent points all around. Thank you!

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  3. Vajra Avatar
    Vajra

    I was forced to listen Marco Berti on opening night. Yikes! The man mistakes braying for singing and standing with head thrown back as acting. Radvanovsky and Barton sang beautifully. Radvanovsky should be given roses for wearing that horrible wig! Word. Also the stalk of broccoli hanging above the action should have been taken down, steamed, and served to naught children.

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