Conductor: Stuart Stratford
Director: Emma Jenkins
A fruitful 45 year partnership between Scottish Opera and the National Opera Studio has produced many quality performances. This year, eleven singers and four repetiteurs have worked together for one week to rehearse and devise a brand new showcase Lust and Laughter.
With artists gathered from around the globe, including the UK, this performance under the baton of Scottish Opera’s Director of Music, Stuart Stratford and direction from Emma Jenkins, is the culmination of their collective efforts.
What the company of artists have produced in such a short period of time is a high spirited, high quality programme of songs delivered by an impressive array of new, emerging opera artists.
Lust and Laughter has been framed around the aftermath of a wild party. Under the gaze of two children who guide the players and who ensure the wished-for happy ending happens for all.
The one hour ten minute programme begins with the opening act of Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel. The spirited siblings, left alone, dance their hunger and boredom away. Nancy Holt’s Hansel and Ceferina Penny’s Gretel are both fine-voiced, crisp and clear and full of life, ensuring a vibrant start to the evening.
There are moments of comedy, romance and tragedy, all deftly handled by the strong cast. The variety of pieces allows each singer to showcase their acting and movement skills as well as their considerable singing talents. We are in youthful but sure hands throughout.
There are some less well-known and some less frequently performed pieces too. Coming in the form of Verdi’s Ernani, von Weber’s Der Frieschütz and Chevalier de Saint Georges’ L’amant anonyme, ensuring plenty of interest for the audience.
There are many opera favourites too: Nicolai’s Merry Wives of Windsor, Massenet’s Cendrillon, Mascagni’s L’amico Fritz, Nicolai’s Merry Wives of Windsor, Massenet’s Cendrillon and Mozart’s Cosi Fan Tutte.
Visually, the staging is relatively minimal but perfectly appropriate for the evening, with clever lighting providing an accent to the mood of each piece.
This is a cleverly curated work and both a perfect introduction for those new to opera and an evening of opera highlights for opera lovers.
Reviewed on 21 February 2025 | Image: Julie Howden
