WNO TRAVIATA AT THE HIPPODROME
Emotionally Compelling
October saw the arrival of the Welsh National Opera’s autumn series at the Bristol Hippodrome, treating the city on the 25th to a magnificent interpretation of Verdi’s La Traviata, transporting the entire audience into turn of the century Paris for an incredible 3 hours of music and drama.
The production unfolded from a subtle and refined exposition, brought to life by a tightly threaded string section, drawing the audience in with a depth of tone, that one has come to expect from the WNO orchestra. Their flexibility and tonal quality immediately evident in the prelude’s waltz, the woodwind interlocking perfectly with the strings to create a piano texture as wide and exciting as any forte passage to come. As more orchestral sections are introduced the sound builds and becomes more complex until we are met with a vocal chorus, introducing the protagonists: Alfredo, played by Kang Wang, and Violetta, played by Linda Richardson.
Wang’s portrayal of Alfredo is spritely and emotive, projecting very well throughout the auditorium. The most striking aspect of the character is his interaction with his love, Violetta. At the start Wang seems almost unsure of his relationship with Violetta, and as we progress through the work, we observe a development of their interactions, driven by Wang’s character, until we see right through into his heart towards the end of the production just how much Alfredo is in love with Violetta, expertly executed by Wang. With such technical passage work it is easy for diction to be lost in the music, especially during her arias, but Wang ensures a perfectly presented Italianate clarity at every step, completing his characterisation.
Richardson’s Violetta has the incredible ability to draw you in at every moment along the journey with a tone quality that cuts through even the thickest of orchestral textures. The vocal control on display was a masterclass, with perfectly even and focused trills, and crystal-clear coloratura in Act 1. Richardson has the ability to choose whether to float a descant passage, or to really emote it fortissimo, whilst always projecting her sound to every corner of the room. Unfortunately, her vibrato occasionally masks her diction, although this does not detract from a thoroughly convincing rendition of Violetta's character.
ARTE E CULTURA
BY: JASPER SEVERN