Some comic operas of bygone centuries, like some bottled waters, need to be injected with carbonation before a lot of us will swallow them. Others just naturally retain their fizz regardless of age or who is pouring. Such a work is Rossini`s ”L`Italiana in Algeri,” which returned to the Lyric Opera repertory Wednesday night in a mostly sparkling production.
It was Lyric Opera, you will recall, that gave the Chicago stage premiere of ”The Italian Girl in Algiers” back in 1970, when the comic opera served the distinctive vocal talents of Marilyn Horne. This time around the eponymous role of Isabella went to another celebrated diva, Greek mezzo-soprano Agnes Baltsa. Vocally and dramatically the very model of determination, she toyed with Simone Alaimo`s Mustafa with such confident disdain that it was clear from the start she was going to teach this lecherous male-chauvinist a conjugal lesson he would never forget.
Opinions about Baltsa`s singing are apt to be divided between those who find her register breaks too obtrusive for bel canto, and those for whom her sharp-cookie command of the stage outweigh any technical shortcomings. Although Baltsa may lack the wide vocal compass, even scale and sheer dexterity of a Marilyn Horne, has any singer caught the suggestive sexuality of ”Cruda sorte” more vividly? Even better was Isabella`s proud anthem to Italian nationalism, ”Pensa alla patria,” the fiery showpiece of the second act. Rossini wrote more charm and caprice into his heroine`s music than Baltsa is able to find. But if you don`t mind an Isabella played as a hard-edged schemer, you will find Baltsa`s all-stops-out performance fascinating.
Baltsa was by no means the only item of interest in the Jean-Pierre Ponnelle production, borrowed from the Metropolitan and restaged by Grischa Asagaroff.
The most exciting vocal discovery of the evening turned out to be Alaimo, looking and sounding less rotund, but having far more voice, than most basso buffos who impersonate Mustafa. A high bass of exceptional solidity, flexibility and style, the Italian artist also has excellent physical instincts for slapstick comedy (watch the bey wallow in his plate of spaghetti), and he is good-looking enough to be almost credible as a suitor for Isabella`s hand. Alaimo`s American debut was one to remember.
Rockwell Blake braved the musical and technical rigors of Lindoro`s opening aria with sweet tenoral aplomb, negotiated coloratura passages with remarkable poise and accuracy, and cut a dashing figure in the bargain. He may well be the finest Rossini tenor in today`s opera world.
Timothy Nolen garnered some of the evening`s biggest laughs with his vain, dithery Taddeo, well sung. Both Sunny Joy Langton (Elvira) and Sharon Graham (Zulma) are good singers, but Rossini`s music does not suit their voices particularly well, or at least did not on this occasion. Patryk Wroblewski delivered Ali`s ode to the women of Italy commendably.
It was good to have Gabriele Ferro, one of the most intelligent of the new Italian school of Rossini conductors, back in Lyric`s pit. He understood the relation of Rossini`s music to the dramatic structure, shaped arias and ensembles knowingly (apart from a rather hectic Act I finale) and kept the opera perking along with crisp rhythmic elan.
The orchestra and the chorus of pot-bellied eunuchs, slaves and sailors added to the high spirits. Ponnelle`s beige-and-white Algerian harem sets and colorful costumes retained their eye-appeal even if Asagaroff`s visual jokes sometimes proved crude and tiresome.
The presentation of the English supertitles was poor, with too many captions flashing on the overhead screen before the singers were able to utter the original lines.
`L`ITALIANA IN ALGERI`
Opera in two acts by Rossini, libretto by Anelli. Presented by Lyric Opera Oct. 28 at the Civic Opera House. Conducted by Gabriele Ferro, directed by Grischa Asagaroff, designed by Jean-Pierre Ponnelle, chorus direction by Philip Morehead, lighting by Duane Schuler. Original production by Ponnelle, from Metropolitan Opera. Length of performance: 3:00. Repeat performances Saturday, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 9, 13 and 16. Tickets $10.75 to $71.50. Phone 332-2244.
The Cast
Isabella……………….Agnes Baltsa
Lindoro………………..Rockwell Blake
Mustafa………………..Simone Alaimo
Elvira…………………Sunny Joy Langton
Zulma………………….Sharon Graham
Taddeo…………………Timothy Nolen
Ali……………………Patryk Wroblewski
