French Collection 2024Scottish Opera
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Followng the success of concerts of extracts based on Puccini and then Verdi, the third 'Collection' had a French theme, with scenes, arias and orchestral passages composed between 1859 and 1893. Appropriately, the rear wall of the Caird Hall platform was lit in soft tones of blue, white and red to reflect the French national colours.
The five operas chosen are by Gounod (Faust 1859), Bizet (Les pêcheurs de perles 1863), Saint-Saëns (Samson et Dalila 1877), Chabrier (Le roi malgré lui 1887) and Massenet (Werther 1893). If the programme initially seemed on the serious side, but the orchestral sections really sparkle.
The initial pair of performances are scheduled for Dundee and Glasgow the first weekend in March. with Scottish Opera's music director Stuart Stratford conducting the Orchestra of Scottish Opera.
Scottish mezzo Catriona Morison was the first British winner of the opera prize at Cardiff Singer of the World in 2017, also winning the song prize. Morison is currently based in Germany but, fortunately for Scots enthusiasts, has returned frequently for appearances in Edinburgh and London.
Alok Kumar sang Don José in Scottish Opera's recent Carmen production. Regular baritone Roland Wood was a last-minute substitute for Callum Thorpe.
Alexandra Lowe is a new face who has an excellent reputation as an interpreter of French opera.
Each half of the evening began with a brilliant orchestral display, showing what superb technicians Chabrier and Saint-Saëns were. The first part ended with a familiar duet for the men. The evening concluded with a similar duet for the ladies, provided as an encore. The meat in each sandwich was an extended scene.
The complete programme was:
Chabrier Le roi malgré lui: Act III Fête polonaise.
Massenet Werther: Act II Start to 'Pourquoi me réveiller' (CM, AL, AK).
Bizet Les pêcheurs de perles: Act I 'Au fond du temple saint' (AK, RW).
Saint-Saëns Samson et Dalila: Act III Bacchanale.
Gounod Faust: Act III 'Quel trouble inconnu' to end (AL, CM, AK, RW).
Encore
Delibes Lakmé : Act I 'Dôme épais' (AL, CM).
