VERDI

Concert Performances

Il Trovatore xxxx Nabucco xxxx A Masked Ball xxxx Aida xxxx The Force of Destiny

 William Bell, Music Director

Cast: Michael Powell (Manrico) David Purcell (Conte de Luna); Susan Black (Leonora); Edward Harper (Ferrando) Josephine Williamson (Azucena)

REVIEW IN GLOUCESTERSHIRE ECHO

Bel Canto turns the heat up

IL TROVATORE is definitely not for the squeamish, but its endless stream of appealing melodies makes this one of Verdi’s most popular operas and an excellent choice by Bel Canto Opera to commemorate his centenerary. Susan Black was on magnificent form as Leonora...Jospephine Williamson cut an exciting figure as Manrico’s gipsy foster-mother, and David Purcell was at his dramatic best as the tyrannical count.

William Bell’s spirited direction turned up the dramatic temperature. Excellent chorus work and brilliant orchestral effects added the finishing touches to this outstanding musical event.

Roger Jones

ONCE AGAIN conductor William Bell delights his audience with a hand-picked opera, fully supported by experienced soloists, a full-throated chorus and a well balanced local orchestra.

It was a tribute to the skill of all the singers that Verdi’s noble arias and eloquent choruses - especially Va pensiero - came over with powerful effect.

All the soloists were outstanding, with Maria Moll as Abigail and David Purcell as Nabucco particularly successful in their dramatic interpretations.

Ronald Kay

2003 A MASKED BALL

(Un ballo in maschera)

St. Andrew's Church, Cheltenham = - 9th & 11th November, 2002

Michael Powell and Robert Bateman

Cast: Susan Black (Amelia) Michael Powell (King Gustav III); Robert Bateman (Ankerstrom); Josephine Williamson (Ulrica); Kate Bennett (Oscar); Alan Smith (Count Horn); Edward Harper (Count Ribbing)

2006 AIDA

The Pittville Pump Room, Cheltenham - 2nd & 3rd March, 2006

Cast: Susan Black (Aida), Michael Powell (Radames), Josephine Williamson (Amneris), David Purcell (Amanosro), Edward Harper (Ramphis)

Bel Canto Opera orchestra and chorus conducted by William Bell

REVIEW IN GLOUCESTERSHIRE ECHO

Bel Canto is slave to perfection

LIFE’S a problem if you’re a slave girl madly in love with a foreign general who has conquered your country. Alas, passion and politics don’t mix, as this grandest of grand operas demonstrates. Although Verdi’s AIDA lends itself to spectacular treatment, Bel Canto wisely opted for a concert performance in English. This had the merit of focusing attention on the splendid music and psychology of the protagonists.

Sue Black was an impressive heroine, singing with touching sincerity in her revealing soliloquy in Act Three. This was followed by a radiant encounter with her father, sung by David Purcell, in which they reminisced about happier times. Radames was sung by Michael Powell, a stylish tenor, whose performance of the aria Celeste Aida got the evening off to a good start. Josephine Williamson was a passionate Amneris, Aida’s rival for his affections, and Edward Harper gave an authoritative performance as an uncompromising chief priest.

William Bell directed with his usual aplomb. After singing so rousingly in the first half, the chorus were dispatched to the gallery where they created magical choral effects. The orchestra had its moments, notably in brilliantly-orchestrated dance sequences.

Roger Jones

 

2008 THE FORCE OF DESTINY

(La Forza del destino)

The Pittville Pump Room, Cheltenham - 10th & 11th April, 2008

Sue Black and Bruno Ribeiro

Cast: Susan Black (Leonora), Bruno Rabeira (Don Alvaro) Gareth Llewelyn (Don Carlo), Edward Harper (Padre Guardiano), Josephine Williamson (Preziosilla) David Purcell (Melitone)

Bel Canto Opera orchestra and chorus conducted by William Bell

REVIEW IN GLOUCESTERSHIRE ECHO

THE PLOT may be grim, but with its terrific music, dramatic confrontations, stirring choruses and impassioned duets, this Verdi opera takes some beating, particularly when given the full-blooded treatment we have come to expect from Bel Canto.

Susan Black was in fine form, both dramatically and vocally, as the fragile heroine Leonora torn between filial loyalty and love for Don Alvaro. Bruno Ribeiro in the role of Alvaro, was everything a maiden could wish for: handsome, passionate and endowed with a terrific voice which bears comparison with that of the legendary Pavarotti.

Some of his finest moments occurred with Leonora's brother. Gareth Llewelyn, taking over the role of Don Carlo at short notice, was a strong, gritty baritone, and their two voices interacted brilliantly, whether pledging eternal friendship or expressing mutual contempt.

Although this was a concert performance, there was a strong sense of atmosphere, thanks to some excellent contributions from the chorus and orchestra - not least in the powerful overture. The monastery scenes were especially effective with devout chanting from the chorus of monks and the consoling presence of bass-baritone Edward Harper as the Father Superior. Fortune-telling Josephine Williamson provided light relief before the anguish of the final act as she led the chorus of camp followers in the martial Rataplan with percussion accompaniment, while the beggars outside the monastery provoked the monk Melitone (David Purcell) into waspish fury.

The sustained applause that greeted this event was ample proof that the resourceful William Bell has another hit on his hands. Perhaps it will persuade him to defer the day he hangs up his conductor's baton.

Roger Jones

 

 

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