Opera Scotland

Ernani 1981Tayside Opera

Read more about the opera Ernani

Verdi's fifth opera never quite disappeared from the twentieth century repertoire, still being given in Italy and at the New York Met.

In Britain, however, it has been seen rather less.  The Sadler's Wells production by Peter Coe  that was brought to Scotland in the 'sixties did not survive for long.   But Welsh National did an elegant and successful staging (by Elijah Moshinsky) that ENO borrowed. In Scotland, however, it has been left to amateur groups, such as Glasgow Grand, and, as here, Tayside.

This staging was remarkably successful, with idiomatic conducting ensuring that each scene built to its proper climax.  The singers, especially soprano and tenor, produced beautiful arched phrasing, with no sign of fatigue in what are demanding and exhausting parts.

Bill Dewar, while adding a stylish monarch to his long list of successes in the Verdi baritone roles, also provided a good, singable translation of the piece.

The set also worked well.   A couple of local artists provided Silva with a tastefully furnished gallery of old master paintings - imitations of familiar works by Titian and others.

Altogether this was an extremely successful revival which made it seem all the more strange that  one of the best of Verdi's early pieces should still be so neglected by the professional companies.