The Opera Tattler

* Notes *

Last Thursday the Merola Opera Program presented an absolutely charming  rendition of Adriane auf Naxos (soprano Abigail Raiford as Echo, soprano Jennifer Robinson as Nyade, soprano Adia Evans as Prima Donna/Ariadne, and mezzo-soprano Katherine Dobbs as Dryade pictured, photograph by Kristen Loken) at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. The playing, acting, and above all the singing were delightful.

It was refreshing to see that director Omer Ben Seadia’s production was entirely free of projections. The sets were moved about by the singers but were substantial enough to describe a real space, including a staircase. Each piece of the set could be turned around, and the sides were different, so it was all very clever. All the characters were also clearly delineated, even the smaller roles of the Wigmaker, bass Raúl Morales Velazco and the Dancing Master, tenor Ryan Bryce Johnson were given much thought and were very funny.

I don’t think I have heard the orchestra for Merola sound this good, the conducting from Ann-Katrin Stöcker was masterful, everything was clear and together, all the soli came out well, and the music was lush.

The commedia dell’arte characters of baritone Paul Jang as Harlequin, tenor Logan Wagner as Scaramuccio, bass John Mburu as Truffaldino, and tenor Cole McIlquham as Brighella all moved and sang with grace. It was such fun to see and hear them. Their ringleader Zerbinetta played by soprano Emilie Kealani was sprightly and twittered quite prettily. She also had plenty of sass, as is appropriate for the role.

Mezzo-soprano Theo Claveles sounded very sweet and earnest as the Composer.Tenor Matthew Sink (Tenor/ Bacchus) had a harder time, sounding quite raw at times. In contrast, soprano Jennifer Robinson(Nyade), mezzo-soprano Katherine Dobbs (Dryade) and soprano Abigail Raiford (Echo) all sounded so lovely together and with the titular Ariadne, played by soprano Adia Evans.

Evans sounded truly wonderful, her voice is strong, resonant, and well-supported. I would love to hear her sing Wagner.

* Tattling *

There was so much talking, kicking, and rustling from the people in J 1 and 3, it was very confusing that the sold-out show’s audience included such consistent bad behavior.