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San Francisco Chronicle
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
Review: Merola Opera Program brings youthful gaiety to Rossini's ‘Le Comte Ory'
All's well that ends well in Gioachino Rossini's Crusades-era sex comedy 'Le Comte Ory,' but not before the men and women entwine themselves in more than a few dicey situations. To the audience, Ory is a womanizer, plain and simple. The show's magic lies in the disguises he dons — first as a hermit, then as a nun — in his quest to seduce the innocent Countess Adéle. The Gouverneur recognizes him, revealing his identity to the ladies, and in a gender-bending final twist, the page Isolier impersonates Adéle, exposing Ory's schemes. The Merola Opera Program's production of 'Ory' too had its kinks. Fortunately, during the first of two performances at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music on Thursday, July 31, any weak points were more than recuperated in charm. The 14 singers from Merola, an opera training program that works in collaboration with San Francisco Opera, brought considerable star power to this high-spirited tale of deception. Baritone Benjamin Dickerson was magnetic as the Count's wine-plundering companion Raimbaud. Bass-baritone Wanchun Liang sang the role of the hapless Gouverneur with heart, and Ariana Maubach, with her sonorous mezzo-soprano, grounded the role of lady-in-waiting Ragonde. Mezzo-soprano Meg Brilleslyper brought propulsive energy and pureness of tone to the pants role of Isolier, the Countess' rightful suitor. Tenor Minghao Liu, imbuing his honey-tongued lines with gorgeous legato, persuasively embodied every guise of the slimy Ory. Soprano Eva Rae Martinez stole the show, singing the beleaguered Countess Adèle with muscular yet nimble coloratura. But conductor Pierre Vallet, who made his Merola debut with these performances, often seemed to push the tempos beyond the comfort of these young artists, and he struggled to connect the capable orchestra with the action onstage. Physical limitations posed another liability. The Conservatory's Caroline H. Hume Concert Hall simply wasn't built for opera, and without a pit, the orchestra easily overpowered the singers. This light comedy certainly could have used a grander venue, especially since both performances sold out. Still, director Garnett Bruce made the most of this modest space. A simple set of panels effectively framed the action, and sleight of hand with stairs worked wonders in elevating the slight Isolier to the Countess' eye level. The choreography was masterful, especially in Act 2's slippery bedroom trio. Vocally, it's the highlight of any production. This time, artful tussling through gauzy curtains made it just as much a visual feat. Potpourri-hued sets by Liliana Piñeiro and meticulous costumes by Miriam Lewis tastefully transported this medieval tale to an era closer to Rossini's lifetime, and Davida Tkach's lighting design electrified the storm scene while, in winking analog, the ensemble's hand fans generated extra wind power. In other scenes, Bruce's staging favored a more-is-more approach. Added pantomime does help the audience keep the switcheroos straight, but so much movement ultimately rocked the chorus scenes. Yet even in those moments it was impossible not to smile at Ory's band of scoundrels, in drag as nuns and singing like angels.
Scoop
31-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Mayor Who Led Cyclone Gabrielle Recovery Steps Down After 9 Years
A force of nature, a 'Queen of infrastructure' and the woman you knew would be at every weekend event - Sandra Hazlehurst will leave quite the legacy. Hastings' charismatic and indomitable mayor has announced she won't seek re-election as Hastings mayor after nine years at the helm. Hazlehurst's advice to whoever she hands the chains over to is to do what she at times struggled to do - ask other people to help out a bit. She said while she would miss being out in the community opening every skatepark, attending every concert 'in hindsight I should have shared the load with councillors'. The 66-year-old said she felt honoured and privileged to have served the Hastings community as a councillor and mayor over the past 15 years, and she had mixed emotions about her decision. She said the timing of her mayoralty couldn't have been better. 'My two daughters are living overseas so they haven't had to deal with any negative comments, but most people are respectful even if they don't agree with some of our decisions. 'My husband Mark has been incredibly supportive and he's excited he might see more of me," she laughed. Known for her passion for fashion and her huge smile Hazlehurst says community has always been part of her life. 'My parents owned Warren's Bakery so we were always part of any community festivities.' She said the past three years had been the hardest. 'Cyclone Gabrielle has had a devastating impact on the lives, livelihoods, and property of our people. I am deeply grateful to everyone who has played a part in our ongoing recovery – rebuilding lives, reconnecting communities, and restoring vital infrastructure. 'But everyone has been engaged. We've faced huge challenges. I'm thrilled at how much we have got done. We have rebuilt infrastructure, and invested in housing developments, the CBD is looking vibrant which has attracted more businesses. 'I'm particularly proud of how far Flaxmere has come. That has all come from listening to what people in the community want and that was homes. 'We are public servants so we do listen to the community. That's exactly what we did with the Opera House in 2014. 'We had 3000 submissions for and against rebuilding it. 'But what finally made our minds up was a group of schoolboys including Emmanuel Fonoti-Fuimaono singing in the chamber and then asking us 'where will we sing if you don't rebuild'?' On Sunday, June 8, Emmanuel, who is from Flaxmere, will be singing at the Toitoi Hawke's Bay Arts and Events Centre in Hastings before he heads to the international opera stage. He has been accepted into the Merola Opera Program in San Francisco and the Jette Parker Artists Programme at London's Royal Opera House. 'That is what makes local governance worthwhile.' She says the council needs stay on course in the next few years. 'While my time as Hastings' mayor will end in October, I am excited to continue to serve our community in other ways. I am a loud and proud Heretaunga Hastings champion and will continue to passionately support all festivals and events. 'In the meantime, there is much to do as we consider the future of delivering drinking water, wastewater and stormwater through the Local Waters Done Well Reform and continue rebuilding our infrastructure after Cyclone Gabrielle. 'To the people of Heretaunga Hastings, thank you for your support, trust and aroha over the years, for which I am very grateful. It has been a privilege to serve you.'
