| Lancette Arts Journal Founded in 2000 |
Music - Live Performances From our Archives |
January 2005 |
By Alidë Kohlhaas
Pleasures come mostly in small measures, but sometimes they come in unexpectedly large packages such as a well-staged production of Richard Wagner's Siegfried. The current reincarnation of Siegfried in a staging by the Canadian Opera Company (COC) is such a package. This opera lives up to the expectations created by the company's production of Die Walküre (The Valkyrie). It is a "wow" production, putting it somewhat unsophisticatedly.
Visually, this Siegfried is stunning. Each of the three acts has it own life. Yet, they are born out of the Die Walküre set that production designer Michael Levine coolly dissembled into the jetsam and flotsam of a disintegrating world of the Gods of Valhalla.
Director François Girard's direction embraces the visual elements given to him, thoughtfully leans on the libretto of the fairytale-like story, and works in harmony with the COC Orchestra under the baton of music director Richard Bradshaw. Although he works with a smaller orchestra than Wagner requested — the full complement will be presented when Toronto's new opera house opens in 2006 with the full Ring Cycle — Bradshaw brings out the power as well as the sensitive and, sometimes, sensuous moments in the score. If you like Wagner's music, this production of Siegfried won't let you down.
The international cast was well chosen. Some we have met before in Die Walküre, others are new to the ensemble cast that has been built around this Ring Cycle production. We meet, of course, the young Siegfried
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