Utah Opera scores a solid double
Review » You'll laugh! You'll cry! It's Puccini at his best.

By Catherine Reese Newton

Utah Opera offers two shows for the price of one this week, closing its season with a double dose of Puccini: the tear-jerker "Suor Angelica" and the silly comedy "Gianni Schicchi." Strong performances, especially in the title roles, and expert stage direction make this production a winner.

First, the tragedy. "Suor Angelica" is manipulative even by Puccini's standards -- not that that's a bad thing when it comes to opera, mind you. Angelica is a young nun whose wealthy family has sent her to the convent as punishment for bearing a child out of wedlock. After seven years of no contact, her aunt visits to ask Angelica to sign over her inheritance and inform her that her child has died.

The opera ends with a miraculous vision -- but the true miracle of this production is that, thanks to soprano Jennifer Welch-Babidge's magnetic performance in the title role, the result is poignant rather than laughable. Welch-Babidge was in excellent form on opening night Saturday. Her silvery voice soared over even the heaviest moments of Puccini's lush orchestration, which the Utah Symphony played beautifully under Susanne Sheston's direction. Nor was there a false note to be found in her acting. Much credit also goes to stage director Kathleen Smith Belcher for her deft navigation of the line between poignant and maudlin.

Mezzo-soprano Joyce Castle gave an equally stunning performance as Angelica's severe aunt. The confrontation between the two women was gripping.

A large chorus of nuns lent fine support. Particularly noteworthy were Carla Rae Cook as the Abbess; Carolyn Talboys-Klassen as the sweets-loving Sister Dolcina; and Genevieve Christianson as Sister Genevieve, a former shepherdess who sang touchingly of her wish to see her beloved lambs again.

The evening took a 180-degree turn after intermission. "Gianni Schicchi" tells of a family clamoring to learn the contents of their wealthy relative's will. Young Rinuccio hopes his inheritance will allow him to marry his sweetheart, Lauretta. Alas, the dear departed has bequeathed all to the local monastery. It's up to Lauretta's wily dad, Gianni Schicchi, to set things right.

In marked contrast to the contemplative "Angelica," Belcher and her cast played up the irreverent comedy of "Schicchi." The large cast, almost all of them with ties to the area or to the company, excelled at the show's musical and comedic demands. Bass-baritone Michael Wanko was a Schicchi worth rooting for; Castle was hilarious as Zita; Megan Phillips Cash and Aaron Blake sang winningly as the young lovers. Susan Memmott Allred's 1947-era costumes deserved an ovation of their own.