OPERA: THE CAPULETS AND THE MONTAGUES
Bellini’s I Capuleti e i Montecchi revisits the family-feud made famous by William Shakespeare in Romeo and Juliet. The operatic version is only loosely based on the Elizabethan drama with the libretto drawing from the original Renaissance sources. Don’t go expecting to see a love dazed Romeo serenade Juliet beneath her balcony, though in true operatic fashion the frustrated lovers do both die by evening’s end. Bellini’s decision to score Romeo as a mezza soprano means that a woman in slacks traditionally performs the role. Bellini, who is considered to be the master of bell canto, specifically wrote Romeo for a 25-year-old mezza soprano named Giuditta Grisi. When the opera opened in 1830, she appeared as Romeo. The requirement that a woman perform Romeo would create a dramatic challenge for any production company. At Opera Australia’s opening night performance, a feminine Catherine Carby was at times awkward as Romeo, looking more like KD Lang than one of the world’s best-known male lovers. The show was stolen by Emma Matthews, whose Giullietta sparkled with passion. Romeo’s rival for the Giullietta’s affection is Tebaldo, who was performed magnificently on the night by Henry Choo despite only being cast as the understudy. Conductor Richard Bonynge’s anticipated return to the Australian pit was met with rapturous applause before the maestro picked up his baton and the overture thundered through the house.
Until Sept 9, Sydney Opera House, $93-256, 9318 8200 or opera-australia.org.au
