La Cenerentola

This was my second chance to enjoy Peter Hall’s vision of Rossini’s opera and I liked it more this time. Perhaps the revival director Lynne Hockney had something to do with it, it retained the darkness for sure, but not at the expense of the comedy this time and for that I was more than grateful.

Beautifully set, there is still room for traditional design and interpretation, forcefully played, James Gaffigan driving the orchestra along at a gripping pace and sung with such conviction. How great to hear that massive male chorus on such fine form. The soloists were all stunning but it would be wrong not to single out Elizabeth DeShong who played Cenerentola with such deftness. As the downtrodden kitchen maid her tone was beautifully underplayed, gentle and subservient. The quality of the voice there, clear as a bell but with a reserve, the purpose of which became apparent.

In the final scenes where she assumes her role as princess that voice is given full throttle, and what a voice! Perfect pitching, brilliant top notes and a spine tingling coloratura. I loved her interpretation of Hansel in the Humperdinck, but this role gives full rein to that voice and a full reign to her as a sensational soloist.

Glyndebourne, 28 May 2012

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