A pleasant wake up call on Sunday morning, a myriad of church bells tolling, clinking and tinkling, and twittering blackbirds soloing on top. An exotic treat to someone eagerly awaiting Spring to come, so far in vain, back home. Wonderfully warm Sunday it turned out to be, too. Must have been over +20.
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| Jonas Kaufmann & Marie-Belle Sandis Photo by Michel Source: Morgenweb |
Was pleasantly surprised to actually see quite well from my balcony seat. Nice view to the stage, close-ups were of course out of my limited sight, sans opera glasses. Haven't yet developed my new hobby to such levels of fancy gear. It's coming, though, I think. Any day now..
Staging and set, costumes alike, were gracefully modernized. The palette consisted mostly of dark colours. Singers wore smart suits and dresses. Simple chic. The set was black and white with a clever semi-opaque backdrop covering half of stage left. There was a stylized tree drawn on it. Stage right was set up by a built-in living room of a house. Behind it a steeple of a church could be seen. Perspective was created with lighting. Nifty. The set seemed to work well. The only thing I found a bit challenging was the rather bare and basic skeleton of a house in Act 3 that was to depict both Charlotte & Albert's home and Werther's lodgings. Couldn't have guessed a change in scenery, had I not been familiar with the story. A leap of faith was in order. But no biggie, that, really. After all, it was the people on stage who were the main focus.
The cast was, on the whole, very good. Well played and sung throughout. The minor roles were perhaps not that strong, but they, too, filled their slots quite adequately. The four main characters (Charlotte, Sophie, Werther and Albert) were all highly enjoyable and Mr Kaufmann in the title role was in a class of his own. The two sisters, Charlotte (Marie-Belle Sandis) and Sophie (Katherine Göres), did by no means fall back very far. Beautiful singing from both of them. Especially delighted by Sophie. A very well portrayed sweet and fresh young girl with a beautiful, sparkling tone of voice. Charlotte likewise was very good. Hers is more dramatic a role, as well as considering voice quality. Ms Sandis has a pleasing darker and chocolaty tone. Liked her a lot. Her acting was convincing, too. Seemed she shone particularly alongside Mr Kaufmann, in their scenes together. Not a bad place.. :) Nice chemistry.
Him I hardly recognized when he first appeared on stage in Act 1. He looked so young! And slender and small in his dark smarts. What a makeover from Parsifal (where I last got the sight of him)! Perfect for Werther, the young artist. Impeccable singing, too, as could be expected. Smiled like a loony at his gloriously resonant fortes and heaved quivering sighs whenever his honeyed tender pianos hit my ears. A feast for them drums, like I knew it would be. I'll probably never cease to wonder how a human voice can be so marvelously, exquisitely beautiful. Truly amazing. A sheer bliss and joy to listen to. And his acting skills must be equally praised. He's a natural on stage. Always a pleasure to follow. Seemed surprisingly well adapted to the new sets, surroundings and colleagues around him. After all, there can't have been too much time for rehearsing! Looked like he belonged there, like he'd always been there. Loved his (i.e. Werther's) timid wonder on the face of budding love in Act 1. And his Act 2 polite, slightly embarrassed yet firm decline to switch his affections to the more available unattached younger sister, as prompted by Albert. There was some nice bonding between the rival suitors even. An endearing reluctantly hesitant but friendly punch on Albert's shoulder in Act 2, after he expressed sympathy for Werther's former affections for his wife. Thomas Berau did a handsome, even likable Albert. A pleasing baritone. Would be nice to hear him in a more substantial role.
Having seen the Paris 2010 production exquisite finale numerous times, this one left me ever so slightly disappointed. Well, not really, but still.. there was no bed and no proper kiss. He did, however, fall on her arms convincingly and lay there beautifully. Her supporting him was heart wrenching. The kiss on the palm (she kissed his and then helped the hand to his lips) was beautiful and poetic. And most of all, he sang like an angel. Stretched on the floor! How ever do they do that!! Amazing. Deeply moving, too.
The audience went wild with applause, whoops and bravos, especially for Mr Kaufmann. No doubt about who was the star of the evening. The other three principals got their fair share as well. Lost count on curtain calls, dozens it must have been. And the signature line at the foyer was mindboggling. A very nice touch from the opera to organize that, must say. All went efficiently and smoothly, as one can expect in Germany. There was a warm, joyful, happy feeling in the house. He was very generous with his time, patiently signing people's discs, photos, programmes and graciously exchanging a few nice words with everyone. Remarkable. Sweet.
Great evening. Splendid experience. Happy as a lark :)
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