The middle part of the sandwich that is Puccini's Trittico, Suor Angelica has been seen very much as the poor relation by comparison with Il tabarro and, most particularly, the great comedy Gianni Schicchi. However it appears to be making something of a comeback. The generally accepted view that its sugary sentimentality made it unacceptable is giving way to the idea that it has its place in a well-structured evening. Fife Opera have had the resources to stage it several times during the past thirty years.
This production worked well, with a simple unit arched set providing a suitable background. The two leading performances as Angelica and her appalling aunt were both well portrayed. Inevitably, it can be difficult to differentiate a group of characters who are identically costumed, but efforts here seemed to work quite well. The orchestra was well paced, though diction of the chorus could have been clearer. The ending involved the child appearing in a somewhat prosaic manner, chaperoned by the Virgin as childminder. This may have helped reduce the level of sentimentality from which the piece sometimes suffers.
How enterprising of Fife Opera to pair it with Leoncavallo's highly contrasting drama Pagliacci. This was an interesting follow-up to their pairing a couple of years ago when Cavalleria Rusticana was coupled with Gianni Schicchi. Perhaps in future years they will find a suitable pertner for Il tabarro.
© Copyright Opera Scotland 2024
Site by SiteBuddha