The opera isn?t over when the fat lady sings. It?s over when Italian tenor Antonello Palombi impresses every seat at the Lyric Opera House.
Palombi commands the stage as Don Alvaro in Giuseppe Verdi?s “La Forza del Destino,” opening the Baltimore Opera Company?s 57th season.
Sung in Italian with English surtitles, “La Forza,” set in 18th-century Spain and Italy, begins moments before half-Incan Don Alvaro accidentally kills the father of his forbidden love, Spanish aristocrat Leonora di Vargas, played by Giovanna Casolla.
In the slaying?s aftermath, Vargas and Alvaro lose each other, eventually believing the other is dead. Fueled by revenge, baritone Ned Barth as Vargas? brother Don Carlo hunts the lovers.
In the meantime, Vargas poses as a monk in a secluded cave and Don Alvaro battles in war, pledging friendship to fellow soldier Don Carlo, when neither is aware of the other?s identity.
Much of “La Forza?s” success hangs on audiences accepting that fate controls characters and suffering will clear a stained name.
Palombi?s pure, booming and moving voice combined with solid acting skills prove the opera isn?t a dusty art form and deserves tobe revered by modern-day audiences.
Casolla matches Palombi in vocal talent ? she effortlessly glides from striking note to note ? and exudes warranted confidence, but does not thrive on stage until late into the three-hour-plus performance.
Casolla and other cast members occasionally overact, which, when paired with elementary lyrics conveying complex emotions, undermines the storyline?s staggering subject matter.
Audiences will want to savor bass Daniel Lewis Williams? deep, resonating tones as Padre Guardiano, who guides Vargas to the cave.
During the first act, mezzo soprano Jessie Raven as palm-reading gypsy Preziosilla provides much appreciated lighter moments and even a chuckle. Unfortunately, however, Raven?s second-act spotlighted performance comes across as mere filler.
Other bumps in the otherwise smooth performance included lengthy gaps between scenes.
“La Forza?s” opening-night audience, looking dapper in tuxes and evening gowns, appreciated “La Forza” … possibly too much. The clap-happy group laughed at lines unintentionally comical and from time to time cut off singing with overzealous applause.
Director Paolo Micciche?s decision to project Nicola Benois? breathtaking paintings as “La Forza?s” backdrop provides more than mere context.
The enchanting works of art with the engaging orchestral score led by Conductor Christian Badea catapult “La Forza” from a strong show to a complete, satisfying experience.
