Opera Scotland

Cavalleria Rusticana 2020Edinburgh Studio Opera

Read more about the opera Cavalleria Rusticana

Edinburgh Studio Opera's new Cavalleria Rusticana is a treat. Once considered a hackneyed old warhorse - it is now almost one hundred and thirty years since its first performance in Scotland - it came up as fresh and lively.

The production team must take full credit. The principals were drawn mostly from Edinburgh University, but also the Conservatoire. Ed Birchinall as Alfio and Hannah Leggatt as Mamma Lucia particularly caught the ear, but in truth it was hard to find fault in a well-rehearsed and integrated dramatic performance.

The chorus of twenty, supplemented by offstage chorus of five, also played their parts, moving and sounding well. 

The Edinburgh Chamber Orchestra

The Edinburgh Chamber Orchestra (27 strong) was conducted by Musical Director Will Conway in his fifth consecutive year with ESO.  He is well practised at bringing out the best in young musicians, as was evident here with a fine performance.

Assembly Roxy

The Assembly Roxy's limitations as a venue are well known. Sightlines can be poor as there is no rake, but the acoustic is fine.

The auditorium's modest dimensions allows the young singers to project their voices, for the most part with excellent diction that allowed the English translation to be heard.

Your reviewer was torn between disappointment at the proportion of empty seats (though there must have been 150 and more in the audience) and pleasure at the number of young men and women enjoying the performance. Doubtless many of them were friends and colleagues of the students in the cast, and judging from comments many of them were seeing an opera for the first time.

All in all, a memorable evening, deserving of stronger attendance.