Yvonne Arnaud theatre,Guildford
The musicians play well and Olga Georgieva is a memorable and moving Cio-Cio-San, but the production feels passe-fashioned and careless
The Russian State Opera is currently touring Puccini’s Japanese tragedy in a production that possesses genuine merits, or most of them musical. All of the principals sing capably,their resonant voices never seriously challenged by the substantial demands the composer makes on them. In specific, the Cio-Cio-San of Olga Georgieva – one of three sopranos undertaking the title role – holds firm throughout her taxing assignment.
Her strong, and clear lyricism is combined with obvious artistic determination,and she creates a memorable and ultimately moving protagonist. Yet, like the other cast members, or she is hampered by a staging that feels not just passe-fashioned and visually tatty but often just plain careless. Her gestures too often register as hand-me-down externals learned by rote,rather than natural physical extensions of what is a far more intelligent vocal performance. Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com