Review: Giovanna d’Arco by NYCGO (by Nino Pantano)

Nov 20, 2010 by admin

Rare Verdi Giovanna d’Arco and Maestro Vincent La Selva – Perfect Together!
A review by Nino Pantano

The New York Grand Opera (NYGO) has been a source of operatic light since
1973 when its Founder, Conductor and Artistic Director Maestro Vincent La
Selva, decided to bring free and fully costumed opera to Central Park. He has
done exactly that, including a record breaking complete Verdi cycle to great
critical and public acclaim. The New York Grand Opera has appeared at
Carnegie Hall and other venues throughout the city.

The summer of 2010 was a dry one except for the scheduled performance of
Giovanna d’Arco (Joan of Arc) which was rained out last July. Undaunted,
Maestro La Selva sought and found another location. We were all the richer on
the evening of October 21st when this long neglected opera was performed
free in concert version. It took place before a capacity audience at the
Church of Saint Paul and Saint Andrew in NYC at 86th Streets and West End
Avenue. The statues of two winged angels dominate the upper front ceiling of
the altar left and right, adding to the mood of this Angels and Demons plot.

Giovanna d’Arco Giuseppe Verdi’s 7th opera premiered at La Scala in Milan in
1845 with a libretto by Temistocle Solera and was a rousing success. The
opera has a prologue and three acts including some stirring battle music and a
funeral march. It should be noted in this opera that Giovanna d’Arco dies on
the battlefield and not at the stake. She forgives both Carlo and her father
before she expires.

Liora Michelle triumphed in the title role, her sumptuous soprano soared and
she negotiated the difficult tessitura of the “Sempre all’ alba ed alla sera” with
flexibility and flair. Many of her dramatic arias evoked the terrain of the future
Verdi and made one wish to see and hear more of this young, gifted and
attractive artist who recently was a memorable Leonora in Il Trovatore with
the NYGO in Central Park. Whether singing with power or sweetness she was
secure in her technique. The future looks bright for Ms. Michelle and this
audience responded with cheers and bravas. Her exquisite trills, piannissimi
and fiery bursts of passion still echo in memory.

Kevin Courtemanche as Carlo VII, King of France and beloved of Giovanna
d’Arco sang splendidly, his heroic tenor flooding the church in powerful arias
and thrilling duets adding an arch of golden tone to this venue. His lyrico-
spinto voice suited this Verdi score very well. His singing of “Sotto una quercia
parvemi” indicated a world class tenor. Whether in solo, duet, trio, or
ensemble, Courtemanche’s solid technique assured us of a strong and vital
performance.

Giacomo, a shepherd of Domremy and father to Giovanna d’Arco was sung by
Raemond Martin. His robust and beautiful baritone was a joy to behold in his
exquisite singing of “Franco son io, ma in core” in the first act and “Speme al
vecchio era una figlia” in the second. His final duet with his dying daughter in
Act Three, “S’ apre il cielo” evoked the tenderness of Rigoletto yet to come
and Giacomo’s  previous rage while denouncing her as being in league with the
devil was chilling. Martin’s vocal quality and color are striking and he can
evoke anger as well as tenderness in a fulfilling performance.

Michael Hajek was a memorable Talbot, Supreme Commander of the English
Forces, his expressive bass pleading with the French, who are being driven to
defeat by Giovanna.

The role of Delil, a French Officer was sung by gifted tenor Anthony Tolve
whose superb stage presence and plangent voice make him much in demand
for character and leading parts today.

The chorus was excellent and Jan Dash, chorus master, deserves our thanks,
their singing in the death scene was especially moving.

Maestro Vincent La Selva conducted a spirited adrenalin flowing, magical
performance, one that energized and thrilled this listener from the melodic
overture to the resounding finale. I attended the U.S. “premiere” of Giovanna
d’ Arco at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in 1976 with Maestro Vincent La
Selva at the podium with the NYGO and I never forgot its exhilarating music.
Maestro Vincent La Selva is a beacon and pioneer and his championing of this
wonderful opera is another step on the golden ladder of his accomplishments.
The audience responded with a rousing, cheering standing ovation.

Among the notables in the audience were Verdi scholar and biographer the
elegant George Martin, former great Metropolitan Opera Verdi-Puccini dramatic
soprano Elinor Ross and New York City Opera soprano and Broadway and
television star Elaine Malbin who made recordings with Mario Lanza.

It was a joy to meet and greet those who labor behind the scenes including
Opera Guild President the charming Dianne Fisher-Chatten, Development
Director the dapper David Dubin and the much loved, indispensable “Danny”
(Mrs. Vincent La Selva.)

We treasure the memory of each performance of the New York Grand Opera
with the great Maestro Vincent La Selva at the helm. May this incomparable
company have smooth sailing and many more years with its indestructible,
brilliant and beloved Maestro to show “the powers that be” how opera should
be done.   For info: www.newyorkgrandopera.org