CCM delivers impressive ‘Turandot’

From The Cincinnati Enquirer
By Janelle Gelfand
January 29th 2011

The frenzied crowd called for blood, trumpets and trombones blared from the balconies and, as the first act rose to a fever pitch, the Prince cried out “Turandot!” and struck the gong loudly three times.

The University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music mounted an electrifying concert version of Puccini’s opera “Turandot” on Friday night in Corbett Auditorium. The professionalism of the student forces, from choristers and musicians to soloists, was impressive. Despite the decibel level, which rose perilously high at times, the audience offered enthusiastic ovations after each act.

Seats were at a premium for the sold-out performance, with throngs waiting outside for turned-in tickets. A first for CCM, the massive effort hailed a 12-year collaboration between the school and the Central Conservatory of Beijing. It was presented in collaboration with Central Opera, Beijing and the Greater Cincinnati Chinese Music Society.

Even though there were no sets or costumes, there was the spectacle of the immense forces crammed into every inch of the stage. Two choirs – the CCM Chorale and CCM Chamber Choir, flanked the CCM Philharmonia, with the red-jacketed Cincinnati Children’s Choir arrayed across the back. Across the front stood the soloists, with the CCM Brass Choir in the balconies.

At the epicenter of all this, behind the large Chinese gong, Mark Gibson, conductor and CCM director of orchestral studies, worked his magic with Puccini’s final opera score. (Franco Alfano finished the final scene after Puccini’s death.) “Turandot,” an opera set in legendary Peking, is the tale of “ice princess” Turandot, who beheads suitors unable answer three riddles. Liù is the slave girl who secretly loves the “unknown prince” Calaf who is vying for Turandot’s hand.

Soprano Helen Lyons, who received her artist diploma at CCM in 2008, returned to sing the title role. She made an excellent “ice princess,” regal and mesmerizing as she told the story of her ancestors in “In questa reggia.” She sang consistently with dramatic power and navigated treacherous leaps thrillingly. Later, as her veneer of ice melted, she became noticeably more human.

In the role of the Prince, tenor Wang Feng, a guest artist from Central Opera, Beijing, was confident and firm, offering a stentorian voice and a commanding presence. However more warmth in his vocal style would have enhanced his performance.

The role of Liù was shared by two excellent CCM sopranos, Xi Wang and Amanda Woodbury. In Acts I and II, Wang was deeply affecting and projected warmth and beauty of tone in “Signore, ascolta.” In Act III, Woodbury sang with expressive beauty in her famous “Tu che di gel sei cinta” (You who are bound by ice).

As the courtiers, Hunter Enoch (Ping), William Compton (Pang), and Wes Lawrence (Pong) were well-matched and brought humor to their roles. There were also fine portrayals as Timur (Timothy Bruno), the Mandarin (Emmett O’Hanlon) and the Emperor (Will Reed).

The idea of placing the choirs downstage was to note that the chorus is “a major protagonist” in the opera, Gibson wrote in program notes. The choruses were well-prepared, provided glorious atmosphere and enunciated their texts well as they cried for blood, implored Turandot for mercy, and finally recapped one of the most famous tunes of all time, “Nessun dorma.” The pure-toned sound of the Children’s Choir was a joy to hear.

Still, the visceral impact of the combined choral and orchestral forces sometimes overwhelmed the hall. Gibson animatedly propelled the tempos and created a big, lush atmosphere that captured the grandeur of Puccini’s music.

January 31, 2011 | Categories: CCM Opera Production | Tags: Amanda Woodbury, Beijing, Brett Scott, CCM Philharmonia, Central Opera, Cincinnati Childrens Choir, Earl Rivers, Emmett O'Hanlon, Greater Cincinnati Chinese Music Society, Helen Lyons, Hunter Enoch, Mark Gibson, Tim Bruno, Turandot, Wang Feng, Wes Lawrence, Will Reed, William Compton, Xi Wang | Leave A Comment »