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Traditionally staged together, Mascagni’s “Cavalleria rusticana” and Leoncavallo’s “Pagliacci,” when performed well, have what it takes to treat opera-goers to a night of entertaining storytelling and moments of exquisite music. And that’s the kind of evening local audiences can expect with West Bay Opera’s production of those two short operas, which are being staged through this Sunday in Palo Alto’s Lucie Stern Theatre.
Although it would be a stretch to call either work an operatic masterpiece, both operas include lush orchestral passages as well as arias and duets that give good singers an opportunity to shine.
Under the direction of Jose Maria Condemi, West Bay’s production features outstanding singing in the lead roles and well-realized theatrics on the small, smartly designed stage. (Bravo to designer Jean-Francois Revon for a set that, with a little adjustment, worked effectively for both operas.)
Audiences are also treated to a double bonus with this production: West Bay traditionally alternates singers in the lead roles for its longer operas, with two singers sharing a major part and switching each night, avoiding back-to-back performances. That’s good for the singers, but frustrating for audience members who’d like to hear all the lead singers perform.
With the shorter operas now being presented, most of the lead singers perform every night — a real gift to the audience, given the tremendous talent of these singers.
The lead cast members do alternate operas each night, however, and in the performance I heard, each singer was well-suited to his or her role. (Because of scheduling and deadline considerations, I attended the final dress rehearsal on Oct. 11.)
Set in the south of Italy, both operas spin tales of passion, betrayal, heartbreak and violence. In “Cavalleria,” tenor Scott Six makes an impressive West Bay debut in the role of Turiddu, a former cavalryman who loves a married woman and wrongs the woman who loves him, the now-pregnant Santuzza. This situation can end only in tragedy — it is Italian opera after all.
Mr. Six and soprano Sharon Maxwell, as Santuzza, give powerful performances, as does baritone David Hodgson as Alfio, also making a welcome West Bay debut.
Although “Pagliacci” offers only empty calories on the plot-and-character menu, it also holds the promise of rich musical moments, which this cast delivers. The high point for me came in the first act, with the duets Decidi il mio destin and, especially, E allor perche’, di’, tu m’hai stregato, sung by the superb soprano Gail Sullivan as Nedda and fine baritone John Dalton Frederick.
Tenor Vincent Chambers is a snarlingly outstanding Canio and baritone Alex Britton gives a powerful voice to the creepy, vengeful Tonio.
Rick Rubenstein didn’t even have to open his mouth to turn in his bravura performance in “Pagliacci.” If you’re a fan of juggling, Mr. Rubenstein’s your man.
All the fine onstage performances are impressively supported by an orchestra conducted by West Bay’s general director, Jose Luis Moscovich.
This double-bill production is an excellent beginning to West Bay’s 52nd season. It’s well worth the trip to Lucie Stern Theatre for both opera-lovers and for those who’d like to explore the genre without jumping into the deep roiling waters of the heavyweights.
INFORMATION
“Cavalleria rusticana” by Pietro Mascagni and “Pagliacci” by Ruggero Leoncavallo will be performed Friday through Sunday, Oct. 19-21, at the Lucie Stern Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Road in Palo Alto. For show times and ticket information, call 424-9999; e-mail BoxOffice@wbopera.org; or go to wbopera.org.
