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