Rita

Conductor Matthew Toogood is now based in Berlin, but we are very fortunate that he continues to return to Melbourne. So, Shoestring Opera made a welcome return, with a very small scale operatic venture.

Donizetti was a prolific composer and Rita, a one-act opera with spoken dialogue, is one of many which rarely see the light of day. This is a shame, as it included some beautiful music and was highly entertaining.

Much of this can be attributed to the Australian translation by director, David Lawson-Smith. Set in a Tapas bar in present day Melbourne, it made perfect sense, though the subject of domestic violence was very politically incorrect in this climate. It was very funny.

With a pocket handkerchief stage and a small tent as the kitchen of the bar, this opera is built for touring with only three characters and a small orchestra.

Ellen Leather in the title role was confident and played a feisty wife. Experienced lyric tenor, Robert Barbaro, was excellent as her hen-pecked husband, singing beautifully, and baritone, Stephen Marsh, reined in his impressive baritone to match his colleagues.

Each got their moment to shine in arias, but much of the opera comprised duets with some trios towards the end. These were always well balanced and the excellent orchestra never overwhelmed the singers.

This was a delightful evening’s entertainment and I was pleased to see it well attended.

Graham Ford