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Tosca
Presented by: Melbourne Opera
Venue: Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne
Reviewer: Simon Parris
Photos: David Wyatt
Date Reviewed: 3rd October,
2009
Melbourne Opera have outdone
themselves with an excellent staging of one of the world’s great
operas. Performance, music and design, each of an equally high
standard, complement each other beautifully, seamlessly blending to
create a memorable production. Tosca is clearly another labour of
love from Melbourne Opera.
 Tosca
is the ultimate tragedy, with no less than four of the lead
characters dispatched by the final curtain. Set in Rome against a
backdrop of political intrigue during Napoleonic times, Tosca takes
place over a dramatic 24-hour period. Singer Floria Tosca is in love
with painter Cavaradossi, who is harbouring escaped prisoner
Angelotti. Villainous Chief of Police Scarpia perishes by Tosca’s
hand, but not before setting deadly events in motion.
Director Hugh Halliday guides
proceedings with an extremely experienced and confident hand. Sung
in English, the story unfolds with clarity and precision. All of
the performers are highly focused and committed to the work,
allowing the action to steer well clear of melodrama. Supporting the
intense drama is the rich sound of the 44-piece Melbourne Opera
Orchestra, conducted by Greg Hocking. The relatively intimate space
of the Athenaeum Theatre enhances the joy of watching the cast and
listening to the music.
Designer Andrew Bellchambers has added
interest to the traditional setting of the piece, with large
monochrome panels of architecture and art. A giant female nude in
Scarpia’s study symbolises the lust that drives his actions. The
massive parapet in front of a stormy sky gives an eerie premonition
of the tragedy to unfold in act three. A highlight of Bellchambers’
achievement is that despite the full set and the tiny stage of the
Athenaeum the actors still have plenty of room to move.
Costumier Emily Collett has assembled
a splendid wardrobe, at one stage catering for forty plus
performers. The High Mass of act one is given the full treatment and
is quite a spectacle.
The career of acclaimed soprano
Antoinette Halloran (Tosca) is burgeoning, for reasons that are made
abundantly clear in this production. Blessed not only with a voice
that is both strong and exquisite but also with great beauty,
Halloran is a gifted actress as well. Her warmth and charisma travel
over the footlights to the back of the balcony. Halloran’s rendition
of ‘I Lived For Art’ is a virtual masterclass in building levels
throughout an aria.
Tenor Adrian McEniery (Cavaradossi) is
in fine voice and brings conviction to the noble plight of his
character. ‘The Stars Shine Brightly’, preceded by minutes of
wonderful mood-enhancing music at the start of act three, is another
highlight of the opera. Bass Baritone Gary Rowley (Scarpia) uses
his deep, sonorous voice and devilish looks to great effect.
Projecting palpable menace whenever he is on stage, he rounds out
the top class trio of highly believable leads.
With not a weak link in the company,
mention must be made of the strong support given by Steven Gallop (Angelotti)
and Jerzy Kozlowski (Sacristan).
The list of sponsors and benefactors
of Melbourne Opera has to be seen to be believed and is evidence of
the massive amount of work that must go on behind the scenes. All
involved must be extremely proud of the sterling quality of Tosca.
Tosca plays selected dates at the
Athenaeum until 14th October, and then tours to Hobart,
Canberra, Frankston and Geelong. Bookings are through Ticketmaster
www.ticketmaster.com.au. More information is available at
www.melbourneopera.com
Simon has appeared in about 40 productions over the past thirty
years. Recent roles include Uncle Henry/Guard of the Gate in The
Wizard of Oz (Catchment) and Eugene Fodor in Crazy for You
(Whitehorse). Other favourite roles include Mr Fox in Mack and
Mabel, Max in The Sound of Music, Freddy in My Fair Lady, Julio in
Paint Your Wagon, Marcellus in The Music Man and Grantaire in Les
Miserables.
Simon has directed several school productions. He choreographed
Urinetown and Little Shop of Horrors for St Michael’s Grammar School
and directed Hot Mikado, which was staged at the Athenaeum Theatre
in May. Simon served on the Music Theatre Guild of Victoria
Committee for over six years, and was Treasurer for five years. He
is also a keen audience member, having seen over 50 shows in five
weeks on a recent trip to New York and London.
Simon is currently in rehearsals for Williamstown Musical Theatre
Company’s
November production of Assassins.
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