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Tosca"A stroke of genius. In this thrilling and astonishing production,
director Stephen Barlow has updated the story to 1968. With her creamy tone and
ringing top notes, Amanda Echalaz proves herself a world-class Tosca. Seán
Ruane is a hauntingly passionate Cavaradossi and Nicholas Garrett mixes
sexiness, menace and glorious phrasing as Scarpia. All three happen to be superb
actors and conductor Phillip Thomas provides a lush, taut accompaniment" "The most brilliantly original production of Tosca to be seen in this
country for decades. Barlow probes the dynamics of desire and power with lethal
precision. There is some fantastic singing, too. Ruane lets rip with
considerable force, while Garrett is all sinister understatement. Echalaz,
heading for stardom on this showing, is consistently gorgeous, and there is some
deft, intense conducting from Phillip Thomas. It is one of Opera Holland Park's
finest achievements." Barlow succeeds in refreshing the story, and the cast rally round
impressively to strengthen the effect. Seán Ruane's Cavaradossi is dramatically
convincing and vocally heroic. Amanda Echalaz inhabits the role entirely without
artifice. From her first, striking appearance to her grief-stricken suicide, she
portrays a rounded character, feisty but totally in love, and her singing
effortlessly mirrors her emotions. Nicholas Garrett makes a stunning Scarpia -
he carries his lean, athletic frame with potent menace and magnetism. His
attempt to subjugate Tosca in Act 2 comes with an undertone of violence that is
theatrically incendiary. As, too, is Tosca's end - but that's a surprise." "Thrilling and faultless. From the violent scuffle at the close of the
"Te Deum" to the final, shocking image, Barlow's production is
thoughtfully characterised and visually arresting, and, in the case of Amanda
Echalaz's Tosca, thrillingly sung. Echalaz is now set to be the leading Tosca of
her generation. With unforced, candid tone, elegant movement and expressive
face, she navigates Act I's little drama beautifully: jealous, flirtatious,
self-mocking and proud. In Act II's balletic confrontation with Scarpia, in the
numb despair of "Vissi d'arte", the shivering portamenti, the rage and
defiance of Act III, every note and nuance is true. Nicholas Garrett's Scarpia
moves like a dancer conveying more malevolence in his slight frame than many
heavy-set baritones. As Cavaradossi, Sean Ruane projects rough passion. The
orchestral performance is vibrant under Philip Thomas, the chorus (bumped by the
children of W11 Opera) excellent. As compelling as the Opera North staging,
bolder than both English National Opera's and the Royal Opera's, Holland Park's
Tosca is a triumph." "What we are dealing with is melodrama of the highest order, here
heightened by Opera Holland Park - one of the best productions it has staged. It
has been figured out in such fine detail that it works beautifully. It's
absolutely bloody brilliant! The cast boasts incredibly good performances. Seán
Ruane's Cavaradossi is bold and positive, strong-voiced in a performance of
great nuance. Garrett's Scarpia is excellent and combines the obvious attraction
he has for women that is sexual rather than being a man of position. You could
not ask for a better Tosca than Amanda Echalaz who conjures all moods
beautifully, in a commanding performance. This production shines a new light on
a classic piece." "Amanda Echalaz rightly earned an ovation for a fine portrayal, rising
to impassioned heights in her Act II confrontation with Scarpia. Sean Ruane
produces many a musical phrase. Nicholas Garrett is a dangerously suave,
personable Scarpia. Phillip Thomas conducts with admirable sensitivity." "Sensationally good. It shouldn't work but it does, thanks to Barlow's
unerring stagecraft and compelling performers as Scarpia and Tosca. Nicholas
Garrett acts the sharp-suited thuggish politico memorably, while Amanda Echalaz
sings a Floria in the Callas mould, flashing her tigress temperament and
thrilling high C's with precision and venom…the South African soprano could be
the Tosca we have all been waiting for." "Stephen Barlow's staging is wonderfully imaginative. Amanda Echalaz in
the title role was created for this music, gifted with the ability to encompass
every nuance of this demanding role without overcooking any aspect of it. Her
voice was stunningly beautiful and always unforced…as complete a performance
as one is likely to see. Sean Ruane's Carvadossi was good and honest as well as
defiant. Nicholas Garrett's Scarpia was menacingly suave and oleaginous, the
voice pleasingly fluid and he maintained high tension whenever he was on stage.
Simon Wilding as Angelotti and John Lofthouse as Sacrastan also made telling
contributions. Phillip Thomas and the City of London Sinfonia propelled the
tragedy onward with inexorable momentum." |
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