The Opera Tattler

* Notes *
Alban Berg's Wozzeck (ovation pictured, photograph by author) opened at West Edge Opera on Saturday in Oakland. The impressive production has the same director and conductor as the excellent Lulu from this company held at the Oakland 16th Street train station a decade ago and the same lead soprano.

Director Elkhanah Pulitzer stays true to the opera. The action all takes place in a tiered round theater with a circular depression in the middle and antiseptic green seats. Many of the characters seem unhoused and lie about the floor or under the raised platforms. The effect is nightmarish and creepy. The stylized choreography involves lots of crawling and creating awkward shapes with the body.

The singing was all at a high level from top to bottom. Soprano Alicia “Ash” Hurtado was haunting as the Fool, their voice is unsettling. Tenors Chad Somers (Andres) and C. Michael Belle (Drum Major) were very distinct, Somers on the lighter side and Belle brash and strong.

Tenor Spencer Hamlin was sinister as the Captain, as was bass-baritone Philip Skinner as the Doctor. Best of all was Emma McNairy, her beautiful high soprano is steely and powerful, her Marie is quite frightening. Baritone Hadleigh Adams is also imposing in the title role. His sound is light and lyrical, which is all the more disturbing as he loses his mind and completely breaks down.

Conducted by Maestro Jonathan Khuner the orchestra sounded square and neat, never overwhelming the singers or upstaging them. I especially loved hearing the viola and the harp.

* Tattling *
Like David and Jonathan, the performance had a content warning of "This production contains mature themes, including sexual situations, nudity, depictions of violence, and references to mental health struggles. Viewer discretion is advised." However, this opera very much has this explicitly in the text, so it was harder to be scandalized by the production.

The audience was focused and silent, I did not note electronic noise or talking during the music.