Roberto Alagna

 

 

 

 

 

Operatic triumph 

The fisrt nigh of Gyndebourne Opera's one-week season at the Theatre Royal Norwich, was a triumph with a trilling performance of "La traviata" wich designed a capacity audience with spectacle drama and musicality. The slightly raffish opulence of Parisian Society was contrasted with the plainer style of life in the country where simpler pleasures might be found, and the final scene, with a magnificent canopied bed surrounded by the tattered remains of finery, was a reflection of the heroine's decline.

as Violetta, Fiorella Pediconi offered an enthralling cominatin of brillance and pathos. Cascades of notes pealed out as she sought to defy fate, and a veiled halfvoice told the price of conflict she could not win.

In Roberto Alagna there was a passionate Alfredo, convincingly youthful in both voice and manner, while the fine baritone Elia Padovan was uthoritative yet sympathetic has his father.

The chorus, always in movement an singin strongly, played its essential part well, whether danciing the night away or, best of all, turning vicious in a sudden fit of hypocritical outrage.

The conductor was Graeme Jenkins, bringing out the colour of Verdi's evocative scoring and balacing rhythmic drive with a readiness to let the sadder moments take on their true Stature.

Christopher Smith