SUOR ANGELICA & GIANNI SCHICCHI. Director: Magdalene Minnaar. Conductor: Jeremy Silver. Cast: Nobulumko Mngxekeza, Minette du Toit-Pearce, Conroy Scott, Lukhanyo Moyake, Dineo Bokala, Julia Portela Piñón, Members of the Cape Town Opera Chorus and Children’s Chorus and Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra. Artscape Opera House.
MEGAN CHORITZ reviews
So, look at me, becoming an opera goer and opera lover. Last night’s Cape Town Opera offering was another delight, with the opera theatre at Artscape brimming with people of all shapes and sizes, who were just thrilled to be swept up in all the delicious operaness! The venue is fantastic, the orchestra is marvellous, and the live opera experience is a very special treat.
To kick start the season, director Madgalene Minnaar presents two (of the three) short Puccini operas Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi. And what is wonderful about this double bill of totally different operas in both story, style and execution is the gorgeous music. Beautiful, beautiful music.
Suor Angelica is a little tragedy, set in a nunnery. It is the story of sister Angelica, sent to live with the nuns after having a child out of wedlock. When her aunt, the Princess, arrives with news of the family after seven years of no contact, it is more than Angelica can bear. From the austere set, and costumes in shades of grey, cream and white, to the movement and staging, this piece is simply portrayed, and powerful. Here everyone works together in perfect collaboration, and it is out of this that the pure charm and sadness of Sister Angelica, Nobulumko Mngxekeza, emerges. I loved the music, the singing, the styling of The Princess, Mintte Du Toit-Pearce, in her Gothic horror garb and terrifying bald head, and I loved the child chorus of angels at the end, making the women behind us sob.
Outrageous comedy
After a short interval it was the outrageous comedy Gianni Schicchi, the story of a dying, soon to be dead Buoso Donati, the relatives who squabble at his deathbed, and the ridiculous and successful plan by Gianni Schicchi to outsmart them. Again, a simple set focussed on the deathbed, provided the playing space for this Dickensian style plot and characters. The relatives are all pretty gross and hilarious. This time the costumes stole the show for me, particularly the pink suits of two of the relatives. I adored them.
There were some real laugh out loud moments in the frenzied craziness of trying to present the dead Buoso as alive, and lots of giggles at the rough and tumble of it all, although sometimes the slapstick was all over the place and a little bit messy. Still. Quite a thing for a big cast to pull off all the huge jokes and sing the beautiful music. Of course, the scene stealer is O Mio Babbino Caro gloriously sung by Dineo Bokala as Lauretta, but again, the whole opera is amazing ensemble teamwork. Could the comedy be tighter? Yes. Did I care? Not really.
The evening was beautiful. The slice of moon could be seen through the massive Artscape windows at interval. Everyone had a great time. And my friend and I went home with huge grins. I am listening to Puccini now, as I write this.
What: Suor Angelica & Gianni Schicchi
Where and when: Artscape on 16 and 17 March 2024
Tickets: Webtickets
WS
