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Opera double bill cuts funny and sad

By , Staff Writer
Soprano Anna Caterina Antonacci, as Susanna in Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari's "Il segreto di Susanna," keeps a secret from her new husband, Count Gil, performed by baritone Wayne Tigges, in one of two short operas performed Thursday at the Tobin Center's Carlos Alvarez Studio Theater.
Soprano Anna Caterina Antonacci, as Susanna in Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari's "Il segreto di Susanna," keeps a secret from her new husband, Count Gil, performed by baritone Wayne Tigges, in one of two short operas performed Thursday at the Tobin Center's Carlos Alvarez Studio Theater.Courtesy

The funny and sad sides of human relationships were paired Thursday night in a double bill of one-act chamber productions to complete Opera San Antonio’s first season.

The program presented Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari’s “Il segreto di Susanna,” sung in Italian, and Francis Poulenc’s “La voix humaine,” sung in French, with English subtitles shown on monitors at the Tobin Center’s Carlos Alvarez Studio Theater.

Despite the wide range in emotion and acting that was required, soprano Anna Caterina Antonacci soared with excellence in both operas.

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In “Susanna,” Antonacci as the title character hides a secret from her fuming husband who suspects his new wife is cheating on him.

A comic misunderstanding ensued after the husband, Count Gil, sung powerfully by baritone Wayne Tigges, smelled cigarette smoke on his wife’s clothing.

A nine-piece orchestra of San Antonio Symphony musicians, plus a pianist, wonderfully supported the scenes, its lively intro signaling the comic, light tone to come. The orchestra was conducted by Andrés Cladera.

While “Susanna” was much ado about nothing, a high-class Desi and Lucy episode, the presentation dramatically shifted toward the tragic for the second opera, the one by Poulenc.

“Humaine” is a descent into utter despair as the lone character, Elle, performed by Antonacci, argues with and attempts to reconcile with her lover on a telephone, a discourse that sounds like a breakup.

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The music came from a piano, played by Donald Sulzen, which at times seemed to sound out the accusing voice of the unseen lover. At other times, the piano score reflected Elle’s tormented state.

Admissions of lies and suicide attempts came out as Elle swirled toward a nervous breakdown.

Part way through the scene, a menacing shadow of a man appeared on the set’s wall, perhaps symbolizing the nearness of loss and death.

Antonacci’s acting and singing blended perfectly for an emotional wallop felt by the sold-out audience of 230 people.

The double bill repeats at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Tobin Center’s Alvarez Theater. That performance is sold out.

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dhendricks@express-news.net

David Hendricks joined the San Antonio Express-News in February 1976 after receiving a bachelor of journalism degree in December 1975 from the University of Texas at Austin. In 1981, he obtained a master's degree in English literature from the University of Texas at San Antonio. He worked seven years on various beats for the Metro desk before working in 1983 at the Express-News Capitol Bureau in Austin, returning to San Antonio later that year and joining the business section. Hendricks was business editor from 1986 to 1992 and started his business column in 1989. His column now appears twice a week. He also covers international business, chambers of commerce and CC Media Holdings Inc. Hendricks also contributes classical music concert reviews, book reviews and travel articles. He is married to Lucila Hendricks. They have a daughter, Emily.