Handel, Ariodante: Soloists, San Francisco Opera Orchestra
By Harvey Steiman
Reprinted with permission from Seen and Heard – Music Web’s Live Opera, Concert and Recital Reviews.
Conductor: Patrick Summers. War Memorial Opera Houses, San Francisco, 21.6.2008 (HS)
Cast:
Ariodante—Susan Graham
Ginevra—Ruth Ann Swenson
Polinesso—Sonia Prina
Dalinda—Veronica Cangemi
Lurcanio—Richard Croft
Odoardo—Andrew Bidlack
The King of Scotland—Eric Owens
Polinesso’s Squire—Anders Froehlich
Production:
Conductor—Patrick Summers
Director—John Copley
Choreographer—Kenneth von Heidecke
Set Designer—John Conklin
Costume Designer—Michael Stennett
Lighting Designer—Duane Schuler
Chorus Director—Ian Robertson
A sensational cast delivered one terrific vocal turn after another, which is exactly what all those da capo arias need in a Handel opera that runs more than 3 1/2 hours. In San Francisco’s War Memorial Opera House, Handel’s Ariodante flew past, thanks in part to Patrick Summers’ brisk conducting, but mostly due to the vocal splendors of Susan Graham, in the title role, Ruth Ann Swenson, as Ariodante’s intended, Ginevra, and, in her U.S. opera debut, Sonia Prina, as Ariodante’s scheming rival, Polinesso.
The tale of deceit and, at least in this production, how easily men can think the worst of their women, isn’t strong enough to carry the evening. But John Copley’s directing, or perhaps believable acting by Graham and Prina, had a curious effect. As applause-worth as the singing was, at the end of most arias I actually found myself wanting to see what happens in the next scene rather than stopping to clap.
