SEEN AND HEARD INTERNATIONAL

Bellini, Norma: Soloists, Chorus Juventus Lyrica and Orchestra Académica of Buenos Aires. Conductor: Carlos Calleja, Teatro Avenida, Buenos Aires. 30.4.2010. (JSJ)

 
Director: Oscar Barney Finn

Sets: Emilio Basaldúa

Costumes: Mini Zuccheri

Lighting: Eli Sirlin

Chorus: Miguel Pesce

 

Cast:

Norma: Soledad de la Rosa

Pollione: Fernando Chalabe / Darío Sayegh

Adalgisa: Guadalupe Barrientos

Oroveso: Ricardo Ortale / Roman Modzelewicz

Clotilde: María Eugenia Caretti

Flavio: Hernán Sánchez Arteaga

The sacred grove in the forest of Irminsul:
 Ricardo Ortale (Oroveso) and Norma (Soledad de la Rosa). Photo © Liliana Morsia

 
As the last of the main opera companies in Buenos Aires to launch its 2010 season, Juventus Lyrica also opted for one of lesser performed works in Bellini’s Norma. An ambitious choice for this company, which promotes younger singers, given the vocal and other demands, as it turned out, it was by and large a successful one in the seasoned hands of Oscar Barney Finn.

The setting for the work, with a palisade-like appearance evoking the sacred forest, was simple but effective, both directly or screened off as a backdrop as for Norma’s dwelling. A further “mystical” element was added with the steely lighting, and the dress too was tasteful and appropriate for the period. However, in the simplicity there were also omissions, most notably that of the sacrificial pyre and Norma and Pollione’s walking off stage at the end was anti-climactic.

The title role of Norma was sung by Soledad de la Rosa, who has a powerful coloratura voice and fluidity of line, while the young and enthusiastic Guadalupe Barrientos was an outstanding Adalgisa, with agility and colour in her voice. Singly and together they provided the high points of the evening, with “Casta diva” and “Mira o Norma” among others. Fernando Chalabe was a passionate Pollione, more comfortable in the lower range than in the upper, and Ricardo Ortale was a dignified Oroveso. Noteworthy too were María Eugenia Caretti’s Clotilde and the Flavio of Hernán Sánchez Arteaga.

Carlos Calleja conducted the orchestra Académica, of which he is director, with passion and style and the chorus also were excellent.

 

Jonathan Spencer Jones