DALINDA. Director: William Costabile Cisco. Conductor: Jeremy Silver. Cast: Molly Dzangare, Luvo Maranti, Thando Zwane, Bongiwe Nakani-Mcetywa, with alternate cast and members of Afri Arts Chorus. Accompaniment: Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra. Pam Golding Theatre at the Baxter.
BEVERLEY BROMMERT reviews
A vivid mélange of maternal tenderness and casual violence makes Dalinda eminently fit material for opera, and despite the familiarity of its content, this recently discovered Donizetti masterpiece has the added zest of novelty.
After languishing in oblivion in Naples for 200 years (after its frustrated composer renounced it in the wake of rejections from obstinate censors), Dalinda has finally come to the stage for its world première … in Cape Town.
That in itself would be cause for some complacency in South African opera circles, but even more remarkable is the fact that this unique privilege has been bestowed upon Opera UCT, for performance by students. Most gratifying of all is the extraordinary maturity of both vocal and dramatic execution from fledgling artists, who present this noteworthy work with an aplomb to be envied by seasoned performers.
Any resemblances to an earlier Donizetti opera, Lucrezia Borgia, are not coincidental. Dalinda is a reworked version of Lucrezia, the remodelling intended to camouflage the original in an attempt to secure the elusive approval of Neapolitan censors.
An exotic setting (medieval Syria), new libretto, and original music added to the existing score, have resulted in a lyrical melodrama with political issues relegated to a secondary role in the evolution of the narrative. Central place is occupied by interaction between the protagonists: Dalinda, her estranged son, and her diabolical husband.
Reason for the production’s triumph
The success of such a work depends in large measure, therefore, on the calibre of performance mustered by the artists, and here we have the reason for this production’s triumph.
Opening night brought Molly Dzangare (Dalinda), Luvo Maranti (Ildemaro), and Thando Zwane (Acmet) respectively to the lead trio, and they collectively prove that youth can deliver as convincingly as experience.
Soprano Dzangare gleams with authority and passion, her spirited reading of Dalinda warmed by intense body language; her clear, sweetly rendered arias and duets with tenor Maranti a sheer delight. His Ildemaro achieves the nicely-calculated balance between assertiveness and diffidence requisite for his role, and baritone Zwane dominates the stage with every entrance, his unforced delivery resonating powerfully through the auditorium.
A highlight of Dalinda is the captivating trio in Act Two, which is impressively handled by this threesome.
Although not strictly a leading part, that of Ugo d’Asti, a Frank serving alongside Ildemaro in the Third Crusade, has a noticeable presence during the action, and more than one aria. This role is well served by mezzo-soprano Nakani-Mcetywa, notably in the first act as she recounts a dream alerting her audience to the sinister nature of Dalinda.
Bravo, Opera UCT!
Solo performances are complemented by robust rendition from the chorus, while the CPO instrumentalists respond with generosity to maestro Jeremy Silver’s persuasive baton.
As for the visual impact of this production, it enchants and startles in equal measure. Mundane it is not.
Kobus Rossouw’s artful lighting design underscores the exoticism of the middle eastern-inspired set devised with ingenuity by Michael Mitchell, while coruscating jewels adorn opulent costumes … the presentation of this opera can hold its own comfortably on the world stage.
All credit to director William Costabile Cisco and the committed team whose combined endeavours have resulted in this exceptional staging of a once-forgotten masterpiece. Bravo, Opera UCT!
What: Gaetano Donizetti’s Dalinda premiere
Conducted by: Jeremy Silver, Director, Opera UCT
When: 4 to 8 September 2024
Where: Baxter Theatre, Cape Town, South Africa
Cost: Dalinda tickets vary in price from R100 – R500
Dalinda tickets: Available at Webtickets or from the Baxter Theatre Box Office
WS
