BY MICHAEL HAMMELMANN
‘I Puritani’ by Bellini
Victorian Opera
Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne, 2 July
With a star studded cast, Victorian Opera’s one-night concert edition of Bellini’s last opera ‘I Puritani’ showcased pure vocal virtuosity. This performance may have been without the English civil war theatrics witnessed in a stage production version, but some traditions were kept. The use of off-stage music added to the success of encapsulating the essence of the music and highlighting some of the best operatic arias from Bellini, making this no ordinary concert.
Conductor and director Richard Mills delivered a well-balanced performance between orchestra, chorus and soloists. Orchestra Victoria provided enthusiastic accompaniment which enhanced the concert experience with their clarity of sound having the ability to capture the audience’s attention.
Jessica Pratt demonstrated her beautiful and natural tone in the key role of the grief-stricken and later delusional character Elvira. Pratt’s vocal control was exceptional with high notes accessed with ease as well as various crescendos music negotiated with expertise, all making her voice magnificent to listen to. Additionally, Pratt displayed a strong acting ability needed for the emotional roller coaster of Elvira’s joy, madness and eventual return to happiness. At the end of Elvira’s aria ‘Qui la voce … Vien Diletto’ in the second act, she was greeted with justified deafening applause from the audience – making it more evident as to why she is dubbed the ‘queen of bel canto singing’ and considered to have a similar career course to Dame Joan Sutherland.
Celso Andres Albelo Hernandez excelled in his role as Elvira’s love interest Arturo – a Cavalier. His voice dominated the spaces of Hamer Hall and with a clear upper register was able to sing the higher notes that the role required in an efficient and effortless manner, matching Pratt’s voice to create beautifully well-crafted tones in their duets. One of the highlights of the evening was Hernandez’s rendition of ‘Credeasi Misera’, arguably one of the most challenging arias of the tenor repertoire. He provided the passion and vocal stamina required, reaching the famous high F in full voice – the crowning moment of Hernandez’s success on the night.
Other standout performances came from Nathan Lay as the Puritan Sir Riccardo and Paul Whelan as Elvira’s uncle Sir Giorgio. Lay’s rich lower register complemented Whelan’s warm tone remarkably well, especially in the second act and along with outstanding performances from Jeremy Kleeman, Carlos Barcenas, Tania Ferris and the Victorian Opera Chorus helped make this event a triumphant success.
Victorian Opera’s concert presentation of ‘I Puritani’ demonstrated vocal artistry of the highest standard, whilst maintaining certain elements of a staged form of this opera. It was simply singing at its finest.
Image Charlie Kinross.
