Not For Fun Only. 1 of 5 5/1/12 11:13 AM. Fun & enlightenment in San Francisco. Monday, April 23, About Me. Opera San Jose: Faust

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1 Share Report Abuse Next Blog» Create Blog Sign In Not For Fun Only Fun & enlightenment in San Francisco Monday, April 23, 2012 Opera San Jose: Faust Saturday night I heard the 1st of 2 casts for Opera San Jose's production of Gounod's Faust. The story is clearly set in 16th century Flanders, with period costumes & rectangular backdrops resembling paintings by Bruegel & Bosch. All the action occurs on a low platform with minimal props, giving the staging a somewhat abstract feel. Tenor Michael Dailey as Faust is a tall & attractive figure. He has an unusual voice which is light & sounds as if it's coming through cardboard. Soprano Jouvanca Jean-Baptiste has a weighty, dramatic sound & projected a mature Marguerite. The audience got nervous when the staging required her to climb a flight of wobbling, free-standing stairs representing her house. Bass Silas Elash, wearing a feathered cap, was a rakish & swaggering Méphistophélès. He has a big, open sound, especially at the top. Baritone Evan Brummel's Valentin was solid & grounded, & mezzo Betany Coffland's Siébel sounded bright & girlish. Conductor David Rohrbaugh set a relaxed pace, starting with an unhurried overture. The orchestra, & particularly the woodwinds, played with a sense of ease. I enjoyed hearing the auditorium's powerful theater organ in the cathedral scene & at the ending. The staging by Brad Dalton had its surprises. Four dancers act as minions of Méphistophélès, though neither he nor anyone else seems to see them. Before act 2, a little girl in a white dress appears in front of the curtain. She seems to be Marguerite's dead sister, & her presence & supernatural powers are creepy. I found it odd when characters entered Marguerite's house through a hidden door in a backdrop painted with an outdoor scene. About Me Twitter Updates Axel Feldheim Axel Feldheim is not a scary German. View my complete Toll! Thanks for reporting that the requisite number of harps is present. about 13 hours ago Facebook Not For Fun Only Like 26 follow me on Twitter The supportive audience was engaged, & many stood when Mr. Elash came out for his curtain call. During the 2nd intermission, Oboeinsight, who is playing in these performances, shared with the Opera Tattler & I her musical insights into this enduringly popular opera. Faust Charles Gounod Opera San José Conductor, David Rohrbaugh Stage Director, Brad Dalton Faust, Michael Dailey Méphistophélès, Silas Elash Marguerite, Jouvanca Jean-Baptiste Valentin, Evan Brummel Marthe, Heather Clemens Siébel, Betany Coffland Wagner, Sepp Hammer Sat., April 21, p.m. Posted by Axel Feldheim at 4/23/ :57:00 PM Labels: music, opera Recommend this on Google 0 comments: Post a Comment 1 of 5 5/1/12 11:13 AM

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