4
What a jumble
The Abduction from the Seraglio
Opera North
Un Ballo in Maschera
Royal Opera House
This gayest tenor role of Verdi’s was wonderfully sung by Ramón Vargas, equally convincing in his merry diversions and his irresistible passion for Amelia. That superb role was undertaken with mixed results by the Chilean Angela Marambio. She has temperament and force, but lacks the long line, and in her top notes is unacceptably, painfully shrill. Like the other singers, she was left by the revival director to make her own way over the debris which constitutes the scenery of Act II — which was 33 minutes of music surrounded by a full hour of intervals. Dalibor Jenis is a noble, moving Renato, though with a muffle in his voice. Elena Manistina is alternately awe-provoking and inadequate as Ulrica, and Anna Christy makes the most winning Oscar I have seen for a long time. If only the hard-working Maurizio Benini would offer the singers, as well as secure accompaniment, inspiration and leadership, even this mediocre production could, with this cast, be enthralling.
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