The Canadian Opera Company is making headlines in New York on the occasion of its recent tour to the world-renowned Brooklyn Academy of Music. The COC's theatrically transcendent production of Handel'sSemele, created by famed Chinese visual and performance artist Zhang Huan, was previewed in the early days of its New York residency by the Toronto Star as "looking like an opera we can be proud that Toronto brought to the Big Apple." It went on to open on March 4 to popular and critical acclaim withSuperconductor lauding the occasion as "a chance for this city to hear this excellent Toronto-based company in a rare American visit."
The New York Times has nothing but praise for "this playful, colorful staging." Maestro Christopher Moulds was singled out for conducting "the orchestra with winning vitality and feeling for the style," and Canadian soprano Jane Archibald was admired for how she "brings a bright, technically agile and appealing voice to a demanding role." Also applauded was "able, earnest" American countertenor Lawrence Zazzo as Athamus, American bass-baritone Kyle Ketelsen's "vocally formidable Cadmus, the king of Thebes, the "dramatically resonant touch" of Welsh contralto Hilary Summers as Ino and Juno, "the sweet soprano" of Canadian Katherine Whyte as Iris, Juno's willing messenger, and the "affecting" choice to eliminate the final chorus of the opera and hum "The Internationale."Zhang's directorial vision and boldness has been equally hailed by critics. New York Classical Review says he "pushes Semele into a shape that is far more personal and unique than usually found on the stage, and his ambition is uneven yet fascinating" and "the production births a question, a rare and stimulating experience at the opera." For New York Magazine's Vulture, the COC's presentation of Semele offers a "weird seductiveness," and Out Magazine remarks how the production "is sure to raise a few eyebrows - and to command respect," with Flavorpill Media noting that Zhang's "Eastern embellishments transform this production into a balancing act between opera and performance art" and his Semele "is a true attempt at updating the age-old practice of opera into an innovative theatrical experience."Photo credit: Jane Archibald as Semele in the Canadian Opera Company production of "Semele," 2012. Photograph by Chris Hutcheson
Videos