For the Macbeth season in Auckland we offered our online followers the opportunity to attend Macbeth opening night and write a blog entry for us on their experience. Olivia Young took us up on the offer, and put together a succinct review of her experience at Macbeth. Here’s what she had to say about the production…
Photos: Jane Ussher
“Verdi wrote to his librettist Francesco Maria Piave “This tragedy is one of the greatest creations of man, if we can’t do something great with it, let us at least try to do something out of the ordinary.” The season of Macbeth for The NBR New Zealand Opera has illustrated a fine execution of the restaging of this Shakespearean play.
Shakespeare’s tragedy unravels against a sombre and dark backdrop, complimenting the gloomy Scottish theme. The back wall is well used with the comings and goings, notably for the construction of three perches for the devious witches. The ominous, twiggy trees are creatively featured throughout as broom sticks, a bonfire and the infamous Birnam Woods.
Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are an intense, brooding couple. Michele Kalmandi plays the role of Macbeth. He captures the intensity required and gives an honourable and effective performance. The stage is commanded with a combination of vocal grandeur and dramatic tension. Lady Macbeth (Antonia Cifrone) filled the house with her sustained, full-voiced lyrical phrases.
The supporting cast is led by Macduff (Roman Shulackoff) and Banquo (Jud Arthur). The latter excelled in his second-act aria before his murder, however Macduff was shown up against Macbeth and we were left wanting more from his character and voice. A highlight of the evening was the brilliant singing of the Chapman Tripp Chorus, also noted for their ability to smoothly change roles throughout when required.
Tim Albery’s production creates some visually powerful and convincing scenes, particularly in the choral tableaux featuring the witches and the exiles. The use of lighting emphasizes the emotion and atmosphere of the production, bringing the sparse landscape to life alongside the drama. Despite death being a main theme in question, perhaps a display of more gore and blood would have been well received. The use of a screen to hide the deaths interrupted the narrative which was an unnecessary addition to the staging.
Guido Ajmone-Marsan conducts conducted the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra superbly, and they relished the challenge of Verdi’s arousing and emotional score. The power of the music itself, the brilliant performances of Kalamandi and Cifrone, and the superb Chorus and Orchestra created much magic. The NBR New Zealand Opera has executed another magnificent opera, and we can look forward to another scintillating season in 2011.”
Olivia Young, guest blogger
