Tosca, The Baron’s Hall, Arundel Castle, August 24 (From The Argus)

Tosca, The Baron’s Hall, Arundel Castle, August 24

4:04pm Wednesday 25th August 2010 in

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Arundel Castle provided an appropriate setting for Puccini’s great tragic opera, being that the action takes place within castle locations.

The story tells of the love between Mario, an artist, and Floria Tosca, a celebrated songstress, and the lustful machinations of Scarpia, a depraved Chief of Police.

There is political intrigue, emotional blackmail – all culminating in violent deaths.

Once again Candlelight Opera successfully managed to reduce a large-scale work to a more intimate chamber atmosphere.

Roberto Garcia Lopez, a newcomer to the company, gave a performance of startling power. Both his singing and his stature brought to mind the late Pavarotti. He set his stamp right from the start with his first aria, Recondita Armonia, and dominated the stage with every appearance. Particularly moving was E Lucevan Le Stelle with its haunting accompaniment.

Scarpia’s malevolence was superbly conveyed by Jonathan Prentice, whose singing was quite chilling at times. Frances Xavier Zaragoza and Nick Gee were in fine voice for their multi-roles.

The role of Tosca fell to Jayne Strand who has in the past impressed with her performances in the lighter operas of Rossini and Mozart.

However, in this role she disappointed. She has a clear talent for dramatic acting but her singing lacked the required strength. Against the male voices and the orchestra, she was often overpowered.

A notable exception was the aria Vissi D’arte which she sang to a more subdued accompaniment.