OPERA NORTH are back at The Lowry from
March 10, with three programmes: a new production of Mozart’s The Marriage Of
Figaro, a return visit for their recent La Traviata, and a double bill of
Falla’s La Vida Breve (last seen here in 2004) and a new production of Gianni
Schicchi, by Puccini.
Opera North say the former received
‘extravagent audience and critical praise’ 10 years ago – well, not from this
source. I didn’t like it then and I don’t like it now. But the latter is a
comedy and contains one of the most popular tunes in all opera – O Mio Babbino
Caro, sung by the young Lauretta (soprano Jennifer France) to her dad, Gianni (baritone
Christopher Purves).
The latest presentation of The Marriage Of
Figaro from the company is directed by Jo Davies, who has previously directed
their popular versions of Carousel and Ruddigore. It’s one of the greatest
operas ever written – light and funny but simultaneously tender and moving.
I spoke to mezzo-soprano Helen Sherman, who
trained at the Royal Northern College of Music and is singing Cherubino in this
production. It’s her role-debut with Opera North and her first time as ‘the
hormone-filled teenage boy’, as she calls him.
“It’s so much fun,” she says. “I used to be
very analytical about acting as a male, and I’ve done a number of male roles
over the years, but this time I’m trying to focus on characterisation, looking
at him as a human being rather than a caricature.
“Jo Davies doesn’t let any of the details
pass by without working on them, and neither does the conductor, Alexander
Shelley.
“We’re singing in English and there are no
surtitles – quite unusual these days – so the audience can really see
everything we’ve been able to find in this production.”
Helen has been busy ever since her time in Manchester, including
singing with English Touring Opera in Donizetti’s The Siege Of Calais (where
she got rave reviews, and which she’ll soon sing again) and in The Coronation
Of Poppea. She’s also sung Mozart for the Classical Opera Company, Rossini’s
Rosina (in The Barber Of Seville) for Longborough Festival, and Carmen for a
big tour with Mid-Wales Opera which earned her an award nomination.
“And then I came to Leeds,”
she says. “It’s been a fantastic time. The whole team’s hearts are in their
work and the results are wonderful.”
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