Sat 17 Apr, 2010
Moses In Egypt (Mosé In Egitto) – REVIEW
Comments (0) Filed under: REVIEWSTags: 3 STARS, Chicago Opera Theater, Gioachino Rossini, Harris Theater, Leonardo Vordoni, Moses in Egypt, Opera
By Lori Dana
For experienced opera-goers as well as for relative “newbies”, Chicago Opera Theater’s new edition of a lesser-known work by the composer of “The Barber of Seville” is a rare treat indeed.
Gioachino Rossini’s “Moses in Egypt” was last produced on a Chicago stage in 1863, at the McVicker’s Theatre on Madison and State. This exciting new interpretation, by opera scholars Charles Brauner and Phillip Gossett, is populated by a cast and chorus of incredible voices and buoyed by a sparkling orchestra. COT, which presents itself as a jewel-like counterpoint to the grander productions of Chicago’s Lyric Opera, uses richly detailed costuming, contemporary set design (an atrium skylight of glass pyramids) and evocative lighting to create an Egyptian palace within the intimate space of the Harris Theater. That relatively small space does tend to limit the staging options for “Moses”, especially in the third act when the chorus is present in almost every scene. The dance-like movements of the chorus in Acts 1 and 2 present an effective use of the space and we would like to see more of that visual interest in Act 3.
We won’t give away the dramatic technical details of how Moses parts the Red Sea in Act 3 or elaborate on how this well-known Biblical story becomes a tale of star-crossed lovers (leave it to the Italians!) We will tell you that Rossini’s gorgeous and transcendent score is simply not to be missed in this ambitious production. The nearly flawless vocal interpretations as well as the inspired conducting of soon-to-be superstar Leonardo Vordoni make for a perfectly delicious performance experience.
3 STARS
(“Moses In Egypt (Mosé In Egitto)” runs April 17, 21,23,25 @ Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph. 312-704-8414)
