REVIEW | Operawire
Review by Francisco Salazar from Operawire
Daniele Rustioni Leads Memorable Reading With an Unforgettable Chiara Isotton & Roberto Frontali “For this new production, the company has lined up an outstanding cast with a great conductor and a production that sets the work in a fascist society to bring the story into contemporary times. The result was a thrilling musical experience...
...The biggest highlight of the evening was without a doubt Daniele Rustioni. The Italian conductor has a way with the orchestra making it sound polished but at the same time expressive. He is able to pull many details forward without ever dragging the orchestra and most importantly he follows the singers to perfection. On this evening he brought the menacing colors in Act one as Scarpia entered the scene while he showcased a lighter and romantic timbre in the orchestra for Tosca and Cavaraodossi’s opening duet. The “Te Deum” was another highlight as the chorus blended well with the orchestra never covering Roberto Frontali in the ensemble.
In Act two, Rustioni moved the music forward with propulsion and had the orchestra grow in sound as Puccini’s music took on threatening sounds and more dramatic weight. In the torture scene, the music started with a mezzo forte and eventually reached a fortissimo with brass section and timpani ringing out in full force. One could feel the tension building as Tosca’s lines rose to the highest extensions of her voice. The orchestra was in tandem with Chiara Isotton and created perfection in the scene. And then there was the timpani march that leads into the “Vissi d’arte.” The rhythm was ominous but as the music flowed into the soprano’s famed aria, it took on a lush sound filled with expressive colors. Same could be said for the “E luevan le stelle,” which emphasized the desperation of Cavaradossi’s pain with the violin’s crescendoing to a forte. The fanfare that opens the third act was also a highlight as it showcased an immaculate brass section that quickly transitioned to the nostalgic music that leads into Cavaradossi’s famed aria. The detail in each line was clear and Rustioni never drifted from the forward momentum nor did he ever indulge in slow tempi. The cello ensemble that leads into “E lucevan le stelle” was played with gorgeous lines with the cellists sliding into each note with expressive quality and bringing out the tragic feel to the music.
The final notes of the opera as Tosca jumped were also harrowing and impactful. The orchestra’s thunderous sound vibrated through the hall with immense sound even after the music had stopped. ...Overall this was a memorable evening thanks to Daniele Rustioni, Chiara Isotton and Roberto Frontali’s committed performances.”
