Glimmerglass Opera 2008 – Vincenzo Bellini's I Capuleti e i Montecchi

Paula Citron
_____________________________
I Capuleti e i Montecchi
Glimmerglass Opera
Composed by Vincenzo Bellini
Directed by Anne Bogart
Starring Sarah Coburn, Emily Righter, John Tessier, Christopher Job, and Soon Young Park
Alice Busch Opera Theater
In Cooperstown, NY
__________________________

The four productions at Glimmerglass Opera are all inspired by Shakespeare. In fact, they share the same clever set by John Conklin based on the Tudor framework of London’s Globe Theatre.

Director Anne Bogart, conductor David Angus and their formidable singers collectively bring out all the passion and power of Vincenzo Bellini’s exquisite I Capuleti e i Montecchi.

Bel canto means stand and deliver operas. Bogart, who is known for her innovative physical theatre, has stylized the action to the extreme. Every movement and gesture has been carefully thought out for the principals, or synchronized for the chorus.

There is not a weak link in the cast. Sarah Coburn as Giulietta represents a new generation of superb American coloratura sopranos. Mezzo-soprano Emily Righter as Romeo has low notes still in development, but she has a thrilling top. Canadian tenor John Tessier as Tebaldo performs magnificently in bel canto.

The production is a stunner.

The Glimmerglass Opera continues in Cooperstown, New York, until Aug. 24.