The Opera de Montreal presented the masterpiece opera Salome by Richard Strauss.
The music of Strauss is influenced by Wagner in the more complicated manners.
The characters as presented by Strauss, and his German libretto after the famous play of Oscar Wilde, they seems to be in a cave with snakes. Everything is frightening as the romanticism itself.
The conductor Yannick Nezet-Seguin did a wonderful job, the tempi were slower but the sound penetrated velvet and thick, surprisely dominated by the strings. All the orchestra gave the impression of an enormous violoncello.
The fine casting gave justice to the characters. Judith Forst as Herodias was impressive and mature. John Mac Master as Herod sang with all his emotion for Salome, and keeps the balance with his people. Robert Hayward as Jokanaan wasn’t good, his dry voice and the appearance as he was presented gave a feeling toward aversion.
Nicola Beller Carbone as Salome was more actress than a singer for this role. She looks beautiful on stage and girlish. I didn’t hear the low notes especially in the finale’s big part. Also I have always in my mind Nilsson’s great vocal explosion in the final lines of the opera. I didn’t expect to hear a voice not even close to Nilsson tonight. Furthermore Nicola Beller Carbone did sang well with worm vibrato and soul.
Costumes and scenery were ridiculous, in the modern style that audience most of them conservatives old fashion complained at the corridors of Place des Arts, with stories of the old good period that costumes was historically correct. I had a nice evening at the Opera de Montreal. I wish a continuous success.
(Pictures: Tenor John Mac Master, Stratton Stevens CM, maestro Yannick Nezet-Seguin, and composer Panayoti Karousos)
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