The Burnaby Lyric Opera spring production of Donizetti’s comic L’elisir d’amore once again brings us a first-class show, with great voices, actors, costumes and setting.
The voices of the principals and the chorus are so good, the piano accompaniment of Angus Kellet (accompanist, conductor and music director) so expertly underlining the singing, that the resulting sound is full and satisfying.
Principals Kallie Clayton, soprano, as Adina, and Sergio Augusto, tenor, as Nemorino, are warm and lively in their portrayals of the flirtatious young heiress and her lovelorn and fumbling suitor. Clayton has a bright clear flexible soprano, and Augusto does a beautiful Una furtiva lagrima (A furtive tear).
Aaron Durand, baritone, struts the stage, and he sings and acts excellently as the vain and self-important Sergeant Belcore, sure that he is irresistible to all women.
Then Michael MacKinnon arrives, by travelling salesman wagon, bringing potions and the magic love elixir that eventually provides the happy ending. MacKinnon’s voice and brio suit the role admirably.
A lively chorus, including some mischievous children, round off the opera, set on a stage blooming with sunflowers.
The production is probably one of the best local operatic evenings you can find. Don’t miss Burnaby Lyric Opera’s next production, if you enjoy opera well performed.
CATCH IT NOW
L’elisir d’amore opened Feb. 23. It continues on Thursday, Feb. 28 and Saturday, March 2 at 8 p.m., with 2 p.m. matinees today (Monday, Feb. 25) and Wednesday, Feb. 27.
Tickets are $36 regular, or $15 for youth, for all evening performances, and $15 for all matinee seats. Buy through tickets.shadboltcentre.com or 604-205-3000.
For more on the opera company, see www.burnabylyricopera.com.
