Those attracted to bright, shiny things will put "The Thieving Magpie" at the top of their summer entertainment lists. Glimmerglass Opera Festival's glittering production of the rarely performed opera is a musical confection, a treat for ear and eye that runs through Aug. 25.
While most Americans are familiar with Gioachino Rossini's overture to the serio-comic piece-- from "A Clockwork Orange" and Bugs Bunny--few have seen the entire opera performed in its original Italian. In fact, says Francesca Zambello, artistic and general director, it's likely that the Glimmerglass production is the North American premier of that version.
Rossini reportedly boasted that he had enough talent to turn a laundry list into a song. He is known to have composed rapidly and prolifically, yet he often missed deadlines. Legend holds that the sponsor of the La Scala premiere of "Magpie" had to lock Rossini in a room and force him to complete the overture on time for opening night in 1817. It's said Rossini tossed completed pages out a window one by one, and they were rushed to waiting copyists.
The famous overture, which opens with a snare drum roll and continues with military marches and colorful melodies for approximately 12 minutes, gets an innovative treatment at Glimmerglass. Director Peter Kazaras brings principle characters on stage to pantomime the plot as Joseph Colaneri conducts the exceptional festival orchestra. The silent action is led by the non-singing Magpie, played by Meg Gillentine, who perfectly mimics the avian behaviors of the larcenous bird.
The Magpie instigates conflict by stealing silverware from the table of Lucia (Leah Hawkins) and Fabrizio (Calvin Griffin) Vingradito, who are preparing for the return of their son from the army. Lucia blames the innocent maidservant Ninetta for the thefts and, in a complicated series of plot twists, the good Ninetta is thrown into jail and sent to the gallows. She is saved by her bosses' son, her true love Gianetto, after their friend Pippo finds the missing fork and spoon in the bird's nest.
All but three of the 11-member cast are in Glimmerglass's Young Artists Program, bringing fresh voices and high energy to their work. Seen on opening night, July 16, the show was already a cohesive storytelling feat enacted by greatly talented performers.
Rachele Gilmore, as Ninetta, dazzled the full house with her pure-tone coloratura soprano in a role that demands almost constant on-stage presence and lots of singing. Her opening aria drew shouts of "brava" and loud applause, and her performance only grew stronger throughout the two-act production.
A former Glimmerglass young artist, Gilmore has gone on to roles at the Metropolitan and other major opera companies of the world. Her popularity comes as no surprise, since her velvety voice is accompanied by fine acting. She conveys a comic tone when the lecherous mayor (Musa Ngqungwana) asks her to read an arrest warrant because he has forgotten his glasses. Realizing it is for her fugitive father, she deliberately misreads the document. In balance, her gallows scene near the end evokes a heartfelt sense of martyrdom.
Suave, handsome Gianetto, enlivened by Michele Angelini's dramatic tenor, is the perfect match for Gilmore's Ninetta. Consistently in command of the Italian text, he glides with supple timbre through Rossini's ornamentations.
Gianetto's opening aria in Act I causes all the other maids to swoon, but he is drawn only to the girl he has come home to wed. In Act II, he momentarily voices doubt about her innocence, and Ninetta sings, "You will weep for your error." He replies, "I can't believe she's guilty." When their voices blend in harmony, the audience understands why Rossini is known as a master of "bel canto," and why these artists are acclaimed for beautiful singing.
Other duets, especially those of Ninetta and her father, sung by Dale Travis, and Ninetta with Pippo--a show stopper that comes late in Act II--are beautifully phrased and delicately balanced. Pippo, a loyal friend, is enacted with endearing sprightliness by Allegra DeVito.
Every element of the production contributes to its artistic success. Recitatives are thrilling; musicians--especially Christopher Devlin on the continuo--play masterfully; costumes/makeup imbue an entire cast with avian characteristics, and lighting works flawlessly to evoke the mood of each scene. In the silhouette of tree branches that frames the action are also visions of huge hovering wings, and the spiraling jail cell is all stylized feathers.
Glimmerglass creative team members have programmed a hit with "The Thieving Magpie," Rossini's exquisitely scored melodrama in which all ends happily for a troublesome bird, an honest maiden, and a debonair suitor.
THE DETAILS:
What: Rossini's "The Thieving Magpie" in Italian with English projections.
Where: Alice Busch Opera Theatre, 7300 State Highway 80, Cooperstown, N.Y.
Performance: Reviewed July 16, runs in repertory through Aug. 25.
Running Time: 2 hours, 50 minutes with one intermission.
Complete Season: Online at www.glimmerglass.org
Tickets: www.glimmerglass.org or call 607-547-2255.
Prices: July Preferred Pricing for savings.
Parking: Free in nearby lots.
Meals: Picnic on the grounds or purchase food and beverages.