THE LOWRY – 15 JUNE 2021
REVIEWED BY ANGELOS SPANTIDEAS
4****
Fidelio, Beethoven’s only opera, is a story of love and sacrifice with Leonore disguising herself as a young boy, in attempt to save her husband from the revenge driven Pizzaro. The story unfolds accompanied by the Orchestra and Chorus of Opera North, conducted by the brilliant Paul Daniel. The theater is filled with the sound of the orchestra opening before the singers come to stage, leaving the audience full of anticipation for story to begin.
The stage set in a minimal tone, with everyone wearing black, in front of a backdrop that can be compared to a golden waterfall that fills the stage with light without taking the attention away from the protagonists. Compared to other operas, in this performance the audience has direct view of the orchestra and can observe and follow every move of the conductor. With the strings and wind instruments filling every corner of the theater with mellow sounds, this two-hour opera does as much to excite as it does to serene the spectators.
Naturally, when the singers join the stage and the story begins, nothing less than spectacular it is to be able to witness the fusion of the voices and the sound of the instruments on stage. With the exemplary performance of the amazing and well-respected Robert Hayward and Brindley Sherratt and of course the passionate contribution of Brindley Sherratt, the male characters of the story come to life and each shows a different spectrum of emotions with their actions dictated by impulses, hesitation and even desperation. Of course, Rachel Nichols beginning as the restrained Fidelio and by the end commanding the stage as the fervent Leonore, is nothing less that brilliant and captivating.
The contribution of the choir can not be overstated, adding their voices to amplify the suspence of key turns of events. Paired with the trumpets and the drums, at the climax the conjugation of voices and instruments create a perfect symphony that leaves the audience in awe.
With the audiences being blocked from live performances what seemed an eternity, Fidelio gives a warm welcome back to the attendees. After feeling like being a part of the opera, Fidelio leaves us yearning for more performances and stages filled with people, and stories filled with life, making us remember why having to wait to be back in the theater was worth every minute.