Leeds Grand Theatre – until Saturday 28 October 2023, then on tour until 17th November 2023
Reviewed by Dawn Smallwood
4****
Opera North’s new Green Season is underway at the Leeds Grand Theatre with its third production, a new one, Puccini’s La rondine . La rondine (means The swallow) is a lyrical comedy (operetta) written by Guiseppe Adami and based on Alfred Maria Willner and Heinz Riechert’s libretto. It is a three-act opera which is sung in Italian with English surtitles.
It is set in Parisienne 1930s where love is fashionable along with excessive indulgence and enchanting glamour being at the height of high society. It tells the story of Magda (Galina Averina) who is the mistress of Rambaldo (Philip Smith), a wealthy banker. She subsequently meets Ruggero (Sébastien Guéze) at a café and falls in love with him. From this point forward the romantic chaos and confusion begins between the three characters alongside Lisette (Claire Lees) whose happiness is sought with Prunier (Elgan Llŷr Thomas), a modern poet at the time.
Magda is guided by Prunier via a palm reading that she will be like a swallow looking for happiness, relocation and ultimately true love. The opera narrates through song Magda’s pursuit that leads to self-doubts thus making some crucial and uncertain decision making. Her self-sacrificing spirit is demonstrated with the moving heart wrenching duets between her and Ruggero in Act III. One wishes for the story to be continued when it ends and how Magda gets on with her pursuit of the above.
Under the direction of James Hurley, the opera has a musical feel with a mixture of song and dance and Opera North never disappoints with a stellar performance with excellent portrayals from Averina, Guéze, Lees and Thomas in the lead roles. The lead performers are well supported by the company and Chorus of Opera North under the choreographic direction of Lauren Poulton and musical direction of Kerem Hasan.
The recycled and reused sets, courtesy of Leslie Travers, work well with the narrative and the Parisienne scene it depicts. The space coincides so well with Paule Constable and Ben Pickersgill’s lighting which responsibly projects and is aesthetically pleasing both in the fore and back grounds.
Richard Mantle, Opera North’s General Director and Chief Executive Officer, at curtain call paid a tribute to the company and how much Opera North has grown and developed creatively and adaptively over the years under his lead. This is greeted with respect and rapturous applauses and the audience are now looking forward to future seasons.
La rondine is an enjoyable as well as beautiful and reflecting opera. La rondine is a well-produced and recommended opera to see this season.