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Fiona Maddocks's rating
, La Calisto has never been more urban
By
Fiona Maddocks
24 Sep 2008
What a romp. The Royal Opera’s new staging of Cavalli’s La Calisto is fabulous entertainment. All animal magic and dazzling Deco cum Op Art, it looks zany and stylish. Arcadia, where the virgin Calisto trespasses and ends up immortalised as the starry Great Bear, has never been more urban or chichi.
The huntress Diana’s catwalk nymphs have designer handbags. Jove (Umberto Chiummo) is an oleaginous matinee idol, Pan a shaggy-coated rock-star manqué. Pearlescent peacocks strut their stuff in Paul Steinberg and Buki Shiff’s gorgeous designs. David Alden’s production is of a piece, intelligent and sparky.
The singers, equally classy and handsome, and the small ensemble from the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and the Monteverdi Continuo Ensemble, excel. Ivor Bolton coaxed spirited, vital performances from all. As Calisto, Sally Matthews, honey-toned in mid-register, silvery at the top, was sexy and energetic. Mezzo Monica Bacelli (Diana) and silken-toned countertenor Lawrence Zazzo (Endimione) mingled their voices in urgent, forbidden passion. Veronique Gens, noble, strong and furious, as the wronged Juno, was luxury casting.
Is there a “but” coming? Modern opera houses have never found it easy to handle Venetian Baroque. The endless, melismatic recitatives can sound remote. Alden’s solution, revelling in camp sexual grotesquerie, had its merits. Where, though, was the heart, the tenderness?
Until 27 September (020 7304 4000).
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Reader views (3)
La Calisto was my first foray into the world of opera. I had no idea what to expect and was pleasantly surprised. I loved the story line and almost lauche tongue in cheek costumes (handbags with bow and arrow?) , i felt that there was some outsanding musical passageswhich did not need comedy support as they stood out in excellence on their own. I found Jove mesmeric and amongst all the comedy he managed to create his own aura of sex appeal! And how gorgeous are those wood nymphs!
- Lisa Hooper, ickenham united kingdom, 26/09/2008 10:36
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I thought La Calisto was a beautifully measured production and one very true to Cavalli's spirit. I felt that it was remarkably touching when called for -certainly the final scene is very moving. A great evening and one of the most successful all round that I have seen at the ROH is a while.
Cosmo -London UK
- Cosmo, London, UK, 25/09/2008 23:18
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I agree with your reviewer. Splendid performances, vocally and physically with some magnificent costumes creating tableaux vivant.
Lots of raucous comedy but the touching scenes lost out because of the jokiness of the production.There were a few beautiful passages of music when I could have done without the bits of business.
I have to give this effort 4 stars. I go to the ROH frequently and Tues was is one of the best evenings I've had in a long time.
- Mary-Lynne Edwards, London UK, 25/09/2008 10:25
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