Echo Art Diary: Carmen shines at Opera York

Now going into its 11^th season Opera York has found a golden formula for stability while still keeping its mandate alive to help developing artists and work with well established ones, reaching out to very diverse communities and serving their needs, the needs of all ages. Besides Opera for Schools in English and French, there is Opera for Seniors and of course there are the two annual productions. The first offering was Bizet’s Carmen in the middle of November at the Markham Theatre for the Performing Arts. Sadly there were only 2 performances, something that amazes everyone who was there. They want their friends to see it and unfortunately it is already gone. It should be hoped that in the future Opera York will grow even more, perhaps into a permanent location with a lot more funding from all municipalities and art foundations to serve the vast area North of Toronto.

Carmen was by far the best production of this comparatively young company to date. There was nothing, absolutely nothing that could be criticized, not even if one tried hard. From start to finish the performance sparkled.

In Adriana Albu Artistic director Geoffrey Butler found not only a beautiful and temperamental Carmen, but one that understood to create nuances that were befitting a fine actress. Her mezzo-soprano is rich and stands up to lower and upper registers without effort. She is a pleasure to watch and listen to.

Equal praise has to go to Giovanna Carini, soprano, who delivered a pious and demure Micaela, as sweet and true as can be expected. Her still developing voice is showing shades of great Italian traditions, has strength and clarity with good control.

Keith Klassen, tenor, was his usual charming self and sang the part of Don Jose with great skill and conviction. He is one of the most versatile tenors we have ever heard and he proved it again that night in Carmen.

That Andrew Tees, baritone, delivered a rousing Torero was no surprise. We have come to expect only the best from him. His performance was rich and alive as befitting his character. His voice appears to become even warmer and fuller, if that is possible at all, with shades of bass quality.

Farah Hack as Frasquita and Marcelle Boisjoli as Mercedes let their sopranos shine and were very easy on the eye.

The supporting cast of Alon Eshet, Paul White, Sean Clark and David Azoulay rounded out a superb ensemble. The Opera York Chorus was wonderful and the Childrens Chorus proved to be a real charmer. The rest of the artistic and technical team under stage direction of Melissa Bencic was marvelous and professional. All visual and audio components simply gelled under the baton of Geoffrey Butler, whose orchestra evoked the passionate score of Bizet.

Congratulations Opera York and thank you for an extraordinary opera experience. We are looking forward to seeing Tosca in March. SFR