Shoestring wedding

Press, 22 October 1980, Page 15

Shoestring wedding

By

JOHN PATTINSON

Radio New Zealand’s Shoestring Opera presented a short programme of excerpts from Mozart’s “Marriage of Figaro” to an enthusiastic audience at the State Trinity Centre on Monday. From its humble origins three years ago this commendable venture has built up a large crowd of devotees, a puzzling phenomenon, when one reflects that this-essentially monochrome portrayal of what is suppoed to be “an exotic and irrat i o n a I entertainment” preaches more eloquently to the converted-than to the musical heathen*,' a' kind of “promotion recollected in austerity.”' ' z' Even.- in a fully staged

production the audience is expected to suspend credulity. However, here was a presentation sans orchestra, sans costumes,- sans scenery, sans practically everything that - makes opera worth while, except of course Mozart’s superb music and some very persuasive singing.

Ralph Scott as Figaro had the unenviable job of breaking the ice, and understandably had difficulty getting into-the part. He has a pleasing voice whose occasional tightness in the upper register stems possibly from the same nervousness which caused a slight flicker in the flow of words once or twice. The most successful characterisation came from Jillian Bartram, who as Chefubino

was suitably perplexed and distracted by turns, and in fine vocal form. Barbara Walton’s statuesque portrayal of the Countess had all the requisite dignity ' without, however, exciting much sympathy for the character. In the famous “Letter Duet” she was joined by Barbara Polson, whose attractive voice and dramatic awareness helped both singers to breathe life into this little scene. As Susanna, she had the desired effect upon the lecherous Count whose role was sung with appropriate relish by Howard Harvey. The piano accompaniment was competently executed by Nan Anderson.

This most agreeable lunchtime diversion was produced by Dorothy Hitch who is again to be congratulated on her efforts to cater for the under-nourished South-Island opera audience. ■ : .