Reporter: Dr Joe Dawson
Date online: 12/06/2008

Italian opera composer Puccini in 1900 wanted 'verismo' (realism or truth) in his music dramas. He tried to achieve this by using contemporary plays and keeping close to speech rhythms, apart from the surging heights of emotion in the musical expression.

You might say this was ridiculous when examining the story lines full of political skulduggery, simmering passion, double crossing, murder and suicides. But how does that compare with today's TV soap opera plots?

Of the three principal roles the soprano and tenor get all the best tunes - Tosca herself (Greta Shellard, soprano) deservedly won a spontaneous round of applause for 'Vissi d'arte' on the night I was there. Peter Ruane carried the onerous tenor role of Cavaradossi excellently. The third part of Scarpia doesn't get any arias and doesn't even get a decent death song after he is stabbed! But baritone John Ramsdin, was consistently successful as the thoroughly evil villain.

David O'Brien was also effective as the hunted ex-politician and there was good supporting work from David Bradshaw, John Jackson, Henry Hope and Steven Miller, with a cameo performance from Joseph Marsden as a young shepherd.

There were two other dream teams, one with producer Freda Farnworth responsible for excellent sets, lighting and costume. The other with musical director Susan Morris who's small orchestra played a drastically but skilfully reduced arrangement.

This all worked beautifully together particularly in the second act as Tosca and the choir sing outside the window whilst Scarpia argues with Cavaradossi inside, with the 11-piece band to the side of the stage. A memorable piece of production and ensemble.

I have a feeling that Puccini would have approved of Chimera's efforts at 'verismo' here, not least with local singers and players in an intimate amateur theatre making his music drama come to life.

Supporting Cast: Pat Anderson, Frank Hindle, Ann Hope, Carolie Mooney, Elizabeth O'Brien & Linda Thomas.

Orchestra: Lead violin - David Usher, 2nd violin - Rosalind Corser, viola - Robin Pennie, cello - Hazel Buckley, bass - Elizabeth Sandland, flute - Julie Perry, oboe - Roger Morris, clarinet - John Dixon, bassoon - Stephen Jones, horn - Helen Grundy, continuo - Judith Mitchell.

Chimera Opera
Curtain Theatre
11 October 2002