<<< previous performance <<< >>> next performance >>>
Albert Herring
|
Composer |
Benjamin Britten |
|
Librettist |
Eric Crozier after Maupassant’s story Le rosier de Madam Husson |
|
|
|
|
Venue and Dates |
Elgin Theatre, Toronto 1 November 1991 (If you know of other dates please tell us by emailing webmaster@geraldfinley.info)
|
|
Conductor |
David Lloyd-Jones |
|
Production |
Director: Martin Duncan Sets: Philip Silver Lighting: Michael Whitfield Costumes: Ann Curtis |
|
|
|
|
Performers |
Lady Billows: Heather Thomson Florence Pike: Marcia Swanston Miss Wordsworth: Nancy Hermiston Mr Gedge: John Avey Mr Upfold: Guillermo Silva-Marin Superintendent Budd: James Patterson Sid: Gerald Finley Albert Herring: Charles Workman Nancy: Gabrielle Prata Mrs Herring: Patricia Kern Harry: Patrick Torcat Canadian Opera Company
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Notes |
Please do let us know if you have any more information on this production by emailing webmaster@geraldfinley.info
|
What the critics say
Urjo Kareda, Opera News, January 4, 1992
Canadian Opera Company continued to find success in its second space, the refurbished Elgin Theatre. Whatever its backstage limitations, the house is a grateful, welcoming one for the intimate opera experience. Martin Duncan's droll staging of Albert Herring (Nov. 1) began with an unnecessarily broad opening, in which social detail seemed to go awry, but gained confidence as it went along, finding its feet and heart. Sharp satire was folded deftly into more human concerns, and Albert's rebirth was touchingly celebrated. Philip Silver's settings achieved both rural specifics and gentle poetry, sweetened by Michael Whitfield's expert lighting. Ann Curtis' costumes did not miss one detail of status or personality.
Under David Lloyd-Jones' forthright conducting, a skillful ensemble brought the opera's world of a small market town to vivid life. Tenor Charles Workman made an exceptional, haunting Albert, growing into his new life with feeling and dignity. Patricia Kern's Mrs. Herring projected everything her son was up against without ever becoming a monster. Baritone Gerald Finley (Sid) and mezzo Gabrielle Prata (Nancy) were fresh, attractive singers, full of life. Nancy Hermiston's music teacher, John Avey's vicar, James Patterson's police superintendent and Guillermo Silva-Marin's mayor emerged full-blooded village eccentrics. Only the Billows household -- Heather Thomson as the Lady, Marcia Swanston as her housekeeper -- seemed less secure in their tyranny. As Harry, boy soprano Patrick Torcat led his seniors in audacious, carefree performing.