September 11, 2004: Nozze di Figaro in Oslo

2004-09-11 Le Nozze di Figaro (Mozart), DNO (Oslo)

Count Almaviva = Ole Jörgen Kristiansen
Figaro = Magne Fremmerlid
Countess Almaviva = Ragnhild Heiland Sörensen
Susanna = Kari Postma
Cherubino = Hege Höisaeter
Marcellina = Torill Eriksen
Dr. Bartolo = Anders Vangen
Don Basilio = Kjell Magnus Sandve
Don Curzio = Svein Erik Sagbråten
Barbarina = Sabine Gross

Eivind Aadland, conductor




LE NOZZE DI FIGARO
Opera in 3 acts by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Libretto by Lorenzo da Ponte

Season premiere: 11/9
Days of performance: 14/9, 18/9, 22/9, 28/9
Duration: app. 3h 30 mins
Sung in Norwegian

Conductor: Eivind Aadland
Direction: Willy Decker
Set design: Achim Freyer
Costumes: Claudia Doderer
Choir: Steffen Kammler


Count Almaviva - Ole Jörgen Kristiansen
Figaro - Magne Fremmerlid (role debut)
Countess Almaviva - Ragnhild Heiland Sörensen
Susanna - Kari Postma (role debut)
Cherubino - Hege Höisaeter
Marcellina - Torill Eriksen (role debut)
Dr. Bartolo - Anders Vangen (role debut)
Don Basilio - Kjell Magnus Sandve
Don Curzio - Svein Erik Sagbråten
Barbarina - Sabine Gross

The Norwegian National Opera`s Choir and Orchestra

The season of the Norwegian Opera (DNO) started with a classical treat of Mozart's opera Le Nozze di Figaro in Norwegian called Figaros Bryllup. Sung in Norwegian in the wonderful translation of Jens Chr. Ek.

This version had premier on April 28, 1986. And it was also televised. Then it was Knut Skram as Almaviva, Frøydis Klausberger as Contessa, Terje Stensvold as Figaro, and Solveig Kringlebotn (Kringelborn is her artistic name outside Norway) as Susanna.

Ole Jørgen Kristiansen who sang Rigoletto in DNO that was televised was even more wonderful in this opera. Dedicated and convincing. Not a villain, only a man who sincerely believe that he has the first right to all the women in the county. The Contessa here was more of a weakling with little of the grandezza of Frøydis Klausberger. She was no match for Susanna, here wonderfully portrayed by the relatively newcomer Kari Postma. Vocally Postma was in great shape and also acting the role of Susanna most convincingly. Magne Fremmerlid as Figaro is just another example of the deep voices also taking on the more baritonal edge. When one adjusted to this big-voice, big man as Figaro, one cannot be more convinced that he is Figaro. One wondered when he will sing Almaviva. Looking in role list, it said he was singing Furst Gremin in Murmansk, wow that would have been something.

In the smaller roles, Cherubino Hege Høisæter, utterly convincing. Sings her arias wonderfully and not only singing them but acting too, wonderful.
Anders Vangen as Dr. Bartolo and Torill Eriksen as Marcellina, what a treat to have such great singers/actors in this role. Anders Vangen is a relatively newcomer and Torill Eriksen is for some time now been the mezzo in Norwegian opera-life, or she has at least been that in my book. She sang wonderful and I loved the life she brought into the role of Marcellina.

Kjell Magnus Sandve as Don Basilio. It is not a great role in this opera. Sandve who is /has been the tenor-hope of Norway. To my regret I did not find it memorable. When Tor Fagerland sang this role in 1986/87 is was memorable. But no doubt, this is a first for Kjell Magnus Sandve, he will, I am sure, be more memorable in the next performances.

Sabine Gross as Barbarina was also nice. Don Curzio was energetic sung by Svein Erik Sagbråten, something I had not expected. But suddenly I had to look in the role list, Don Curzio.

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April 12, 2002: Opera Gala in Sogndal

2002-04-12 Operagalla, Sogndal Kulturhus

Kari Postma, soprano
Richard Fracker, tenor
Thorbjørn Gulbrandsøy, baritone

Michael Pavelich, conductor
Opera Nordfjord in Sogndal, Norway

Maestro Michael Pavelich is conducting the chorus and orchestra of Opera Nordfjord.

Program

Ouverture
Fledermaus (J. Strauss jr.)
Opera Orchestra

Largo al Factotum
Barbiere di Siviglia (G.Rossini)
Soloist: Thorbjørn Gulbrandsøy

Ebben? Ne andro lontana
La Wally (A. Catalani)
Soloist: Kari Postma

Oh fede negar potessi/ Quando le sera al placido
Luisa Miller (G. Verdi)
Soloist: Richard Fracker

Opening chorus
The sold bride (Smetana)
Opera Chorus

Toreador-song
Carmen (G. Bizet)
Soloist: Thorbjørn Gulbrandsøy

Brindisi: Libiamo
La Traviata (G. Verdi)
Soloists: Kari Postma & Richard Fracker

PAUSE

Ouverture
La Forza del Destino (G. Verdi)
Opera Orchestra

Au Fond du Temple Saint
Les Pecheurs de Perles (G. Bizet)
Soloists: Richard Fracker & Thorbjørn Gulbrandsøy

Ah! Je veux vivre
Romeo et Juliette (C. Gounod)
Soloist: Kari Postma

Intermezzo Sinfonico
Cavalleria Rusticana (P. Mascagni)
Opera Orchestra

La Ci Darem La Mano
Don Giovanni (W. A. Mozart)
Soloists: Kari Postma &
Thorbjørn Gulbrandsøy

Va Pensiero (Slave chorus)
Nebucco (G. Verdi)
Opera Chorus

Nessun Dorma
Turandot (G. Puccini)
Soloist: Richard Fracker

The opera comes to Sogndal, Norway

Opera Nordfjord is based on much voluntary work. The orchestra is assembled of the best musical forces in the county (Sogn og Fjordane). The Chorus is strengthened with young singers from Firda VGS, the Music line chorus.

The soloist were excellent, as were the chorus and orchestra.

The program started with the overture from Fledermaus. A piece so well-known that one could start thinking is easy to play it so excellent as this orchestra did. But one needs a good conductor and excellent musicians do it justice.

The young Norwegian baritone (Thorbjørn Gulbrandsøy) sang very well the Factotum-aria from Barbiere, even if did make a slight mistake in the beginning. It is not easy to sing at the right moment when the conductor is right behind you (not in music, but physically). He didn't let that hinder him from singing the rest gloriously.

Kari Postma (Norwegian Soprano) is definitely a soprano with a great and bright future. She sang the aria from La Wally (ebben ne andro lontano). Perfect and with feeling.

Richard Fracker, an American tenor sang the aria from Luisa Miller. With tears in his voice, strong voice, sang very well, but I didn't like his voice that much. I found it painful for my ear. Another pair of ears could have loved it.

Then the chorus sang the opening chorus from Smetana's The Sold Bride, in Nynorsk (Neo-Norwegian). Wonderful chorus.

Toreador-song by the baritone and Brindisi with soprano and tenor, accompanied by the chorus. Marvelous!

Then a pause of 20 minutes to rest, have refreshments, talk to others. It was filled with people, one could miss other people one knew would be there, and find others instead, coworkers, neighbors.

Then FORZA DEL DESTINO with the orchestra under the baton of Michael Pavelich, how can I express the wonderful musical experience this was.

The wonderful duet from the Pearl Fishers, and it was naturally wonderfully sung.

Then Kari Postma sang the aria from Romeo et Juliette, also a highlight.

An intermezzo was needed, it came from Cavalleria Rusticana. And a fun relief was needed it came from Don Giovanni. Laci darem la mano, it was both sung and acted. Great Fun.

The Chorus sang the slave chorus, in Italian naturally. All was sung in the original language, except Sold Bride.

Richard Fracker sang Nessun dorma. He sang it well, my ear liked it better than the Luisa Miller aria.

Finale: Flowers from Sogndal Kommune and the municipality of Sogndal, all with wishes of more opera in Sogndal.

Then extra numbers from Fledermaus, Duidu Brüderlein, all soloists, chorus and orchestra. It was sung in Norwegian. Also by the American tenor.

BRAVO ! Bravi tutti!

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